Charles Esther
When Liz Centoni joined Cisco in 2000, she expected to stay for only three years.
Fast forward 25 years, and she is now Cisco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer, leading 20,000 employees.
Centoni has worked in more than a dozen different roles during her career at Cisco, and her journey offers valuable insights into navigating career transitions.
In an interview with Business Insider, Centoni shared her experiences and advice for those looking to make similar career shifts.
The Importance of Flexibility in Career Paths
Centoni’s career trajectory has been anything but linear.
While she initially thought of herself as a “linear thinker,” she quickly learned that careers are not linear.
Over the years, she has embraced the changes and challenges that come with switching roles.
Today, as a leader in Cisco, Centoni reflects on the importance of flexibility and openness to new opportunities.
In a world where job markets are constantly evolving, especially with the rise of AI, Centoni’s story shows how being adaptable and open to change can lead to fulfilling roles and leadership positions.
Leaning into Your Network
One of Centoni’s key pieces of advice for navigating career transitions is to lean into your professional network.
Whether you’re thinking about a job change or pivoting to a new role within your current organization, your network can play a pivotal role in opening doors.
Centoni emphasizes the importance of leveraging both internal and external networks.
Conversations with former colleagues or peers can provide valuable insights into different roles or industries.
Building relationships with mentors and sponsors can help open new opportunities that you might not otherwise encounter.
According to Centoni, “People who can connect you with different things, open up opportunities, mentors, sponsors” are invaluable resources in navigating career changes.
Widening Your Search: Seek Disruption
Rather than following a predictable, linear career path, Centoni encourages people to broaden their horizons.
By seeking out roles that create disruption or allow for bold thinking, professionals can position themselves to redefine industries and bring fresh perspectives.
This approach has served Centoni well throughout her career, leading her to executive leadership.
She advises, “Think about areas where you’ve got to look broadly versus what you’re doing right now.
Is there an opportunity for you to kind of redefine the future, versus just working through what somebody’s already defined?” For Centoni, the most rewarding roles have been those that weren’t perfectly defined from the start but had immense potential for growth and innovation.
Embracing Discomfort in Career Transitions
Despite her success in career transitions, Centoni admits that these shifts were often uncomfortable.
In fact, even after months in a new role, she still sometimes felt like a “newbie.”
One of her most challenging transitions was when she moved from network management to the core routing group at Cisco—a position that was unfamiliar to her.
Centoni recalls feeling uncertain about her decision, especially during the first few months, when she felt like she was contributing very little.
“When you move to something new, all of a sudden, it’s like you’re learning more than actually what you’re contributing,” Centoni explains.
This feeling of being a “newbie” can be particularly challenging for those who want to make an immediate impact, especially those with a Type A personality.
However, Centoni views these moments of discomfort as essential for growth.
She describes the process of learning new skills and technologies, even when it feels slow and uncertain, as a critical part of continuous personal and professional development.
Looking back, Centoni considers her biggest regret to be not pivoting sooner.
Lessons Learned from Career Transitions
Through her 25 years at Cisco, Centoni has learned that career transitions, although often uncomfortable, are crucial for growth.
Her journey shows that embracing change, seeking opportunities that challenge the status quo, and leveraging your network can lead to extraordinary career outcomes.
While job transitions may not always be smooth or immediate, the long-term rewards—both personally and professionally—can be significant.
Conclusion: The Power of Bold Thinking and Career Flexibility
Liz Centoni’s career at Cisco serves as a model for anyone looking to make a successful career transition.
By staying open to new opportunities, leaning into your network, and embracing the discomfort of change, professionals can navigate even the most challenging career shifts.
As the world of work continues to evolve, Centoni’s story underscores the importance of flexibility, continuous learning, and bold thinking in shaping a fulfilling career.
