When I think about what makes a great tech CEO, I picture someone with real vision, strong product instincts, and the ability to build a team people actually want to follow. Someone who owns their mistakes, cuts through noise, and doesn’t let ego get in the way. Sadly, I see zero of these qualities in CR.
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There are no tech CEOs with the qualities you mention. That type of CEO died 20+ years ago (and it trashed the industry culture).
what does Chuck even do for Cisco other than PR stunts
After 25 years at Cisco, took a role at an AI leader. When a large Saudi company came to us to validate a trivial Cisco AI network POC with just 3 switches (and I told them it was done correctly), I reflected and it was a bit depressing. We used to dictate the technical solutions solidly and were thought leaders. Now the new we need to assure customers Cisco does networks correctly. Part sad, part angry.
You’re so naive CEO role operates and functions on a totally different level. Such a clown post. It is cute you think you can evaluate the role of CEO the same as you would with a lowly IC or bland middle management then think enough of yourself and silly opinion to post it so arrogantly like you have any clue of how things actually work at a level that matters. Now I’m no fan of Caught Robbin in fact, I coined that name for him but you have no idea what you’re talking about. Oh, and he has a board he works for and nowadays the only companies that really move the needle do so by blank government contracts and priority. Humble yourself a bit.
I was hired shortly after Chambers became CEO in 1995. I had great admiration for him and the company grew exponentially on his watch. Sitting in Corp HQ Building 10 in SJ (which shut down last year), you could hear his booming laughter from the 5th floor 'executive row' to the 4th floor below via the connecting mid-floor spiral staircase; hearing him laugh always made me smile.
Every encounter I had w/ Chambers was a good one. He was consistently cheerful and conversational, and said to everyone who met him, "please, call me John" (vs. Mr. Chambers) - even the building janitor. John was always humble and welcoming, unlike some of his senior staff. And after the company's first layoff in April 2001, Chambers took a $1/year salary, which was the right thing to do.
By 2015, many senior staff oldsters of the time hoped to inherit the throne when Chambers left, but CR was chosen because he was still in his 40s, and the idea was to bring young(er) blood to the helm; all those oldsters resigned shortly after.
The best of times at Cisco were between 1995-2000 from an employee morale standpoint. Everyone got rich from those long-gone stock options, which split every six months, even the mail room clerk.
I sure do miss those days. I was young then and now I'm an oldster, just biding my time. Yeah, I hear all of you youngin's out there: "Okay, Boomer!" I'll retire soon and then you can have my job (but without the experience of the greatest time in the company's history).
How could you possibly know? You know what you see in public. You see none of the actual tough conversations, decision making, etc.
And shocker...most of the same qualities you listed are valuable in IC's and all levels of employee...how do you stack up?
CEOs are like any group...most are average. Some are better, and some are worse. You have no idea where CR ranks.
Don't get me wrong, I don't like Chuck's public persona, but have no basis to judge his job as CEO.
CR does whatever the know nothings around him say.