The Human Network – My Journey with Cisco

I often reflect on Cisco's iconic tagline from when I joined the company. It was 2007, and I was in Bangalore, India, fresh out of college and full of dreams. I didn't fully grasp what "The Human Network" meant. Routers, switches, and protocols were foreign terms then, but what I did feel profoundly was the vibe: a culture of care, a sense of family, and a workplace built on respect and love.

As a free-spirited woman, I thrived in this environment. Our team was close-knit, our coffee breaks long, and our laughter genuine. The Bangalore office became my second home. Yet, a part of me longed for more of an adventure, a change. That pull led me to leave Cisco, move to the U.S., and pursue a master's degree in dynamic New York City.

I never imagined that I would find my way back to Cisco or that Cisco would find me. But it did. I rejoined the company as a Systems Engineer in Presales after an intense interview process. A new country, new people, a new role, yet it was the same vibe that reminded me why Cisco had always felt like home. In fact, it felt more welcoming than ever, and that filled me with excitement.

The Power of Purpose

Since childhood, I've pondered the big questions like who I am and what is my purpose. In 2018, my parents visited me, and I was struck by a transformation in my mother. The once-worried parent had become calm and centered. This shift led me to start my spiritual and mindfulness journey. It brought a new kind of freedom where my aim became clear: to spread peace and joy, to see every human being as family, and to live a life of purpose.

Bridge to Possible

Life, of course, is never without challenges. One evening in 2019, I experienced a sudden and severe headache that led to a stiff neck and an ER visit. Over the next year, pain spread throughout my body, and I experienced numbness, stomach issues, and heart pain. Despite countless tests, no root cause was found. But through it all, my spiritual practice gave me strength.

My Cisco family stood by me, from managers to teammates and other colleagues. After every single doctor's visit, they made sure to ask how I was doing and there was no pressure to be on video during meetings. My manager would often say, "Is there anything we can take off your plate? Please take the time you need - we'll handle things." It was such an open and supportive environment, I felt truly safe to express how I was feeling.

In 2021, sitting in a hospital room, listening to a doctor's bleak prognosis, I broke down. It was my lowest point. But in the silence of meditation, a profound new awareness emerged. I realized my deeper purpose: to transform lives through connection, a purpose I felt was truly embodied by Cisco.

Powering an Inclusive Future for All

As my body slowly healed, I began teaching meditation and creating spiritual paintings and art exhibitions, even creating an online space, called In Is the Only Way Out, for others to pause and reflect. I longed to share this within Cisco, too. And then, serendipitously, I connected with Punam from the Mindfulness & Resilience Network, one of Cisco's 30+ Inclusive Communities (our name for Employee Resource Groups), over our shared love of art and meditation.

Being part of this loving community, truly showed me what it means to care for one another here, providing a vital space for connection, shared purpose, and healing as I navigated my recovery.

Changing the Way We Work, Live, Play & Learn

True balance begins when you no longer need to wear a mask - when who you are at work and who you are at home become one and the same. That's when life feels whole. That's when you're truly living with purpose.

Leading mindfulness onboarding sessions and posting messages on the Daily Inspiration Webex Space (Cisco's internal collaboration platform), I often receive heartfelt responses like, "This is exactly what I needed today." These moments, along with strangers reaching out or unexpected employee recognition for my commitment to well-being, fill my heart with joy. It's not just about technology or networks, but about the human connection.

My deepest wish is for everyone to recognize their inner worth, their true essence. It's at Cisco that I've found an environment where this authenticity is not just accepted, but celebrated, allowing us to truly show up as ourselves. This culture of genuine connection empowers us to collaborate more deeply, innovate freely, and ultimately do our best work. It's through this human-centric approach that Cisco is Powering an Inclusive Future for All.

I am truly proud to be a part of Cisco, a company that not only connects people across the globe but also connects the human spirit.

Inspired by Shweta's journey of purpose and belonging? Discover how Cisco cultivates an environment where all employees can thrive in our Purpose Report.

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