I look over my shoulder at Cisco every day; have I added value, and am I doing things that are consistent with the changes Cisco NEEDS to make to remain relevant (let alone GROW)? I am a mid-senior level resource with a background in traditional IT (where it's all about the blinking lights). I have to evolve and take the opportunities I get (and Cisco is amazing about offering training and certification resources across architectures).
I just got an "all clear" call from my manager. I was hopeful, but unsure, about being impacted. It is just business. I may be impacted at another time. I have a family, and I have given much to Cisco, but I would not blame this company for laying me off if I was deemed to not be part of its future. Many of us (employees at all levels, thanks to stock programs) are Cisco stockholders, and the value (and continued viability of my Cisco stock, and YOURS, is at stake).
My highest priority is to DO THE RIGHT THING. Cisco has never steered me to do anything less than that. After that, my priority is to help Cisco retain and grow it's value, even if it means I get cut one day. So I will be back here when that happens, saying, "oh well, it was my time..."