A Beginner's Guide to AI Future of Leadership with AI: Lessons from CISCO's President Jeetu Patel
Aug 27, 2025
Jeetu Patel, President and CPO of Cisco and a leading voice in enterprise tech, delves into the future of leadership in an AI-driven world. He discusses how AI enhances employee capabilities rather than replacing them and emphasizes the importance of fostering innovation. Jeetu highlights the need for organizations to become AI-first today to stay competitive. He also shares insights on effective communication within teams and the significance of creating emotionally resonant products that truly connect with users.
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Early AI Wins Sparked Conviction
- Jeetu Patel recounted early AI work at Box and WebEx, including acquiring an acoustics AI team to remove background noise in calls.
- He called ChatGPT's November 30, 2022 launch the true inflection point that accelerated adoption across Cisco.
Clarity From The Top Drives Adoption
- Cisco declared itself an "AI-first secure networking company" and treated AI as the top strategic priority across the stack.
- Patel said clarity from the top eliminated confusion and aligned employees to act decisively on AI.
Repeat, Train, And Measure Relentlessly
- Repeatedly communicate the AI direction and educate employees at scale with training and certifications.
- Show examples, invest in partnerships, and measure commercial targets to drive adoption and credibility.