Elisabeth De Dobbeleer ─ a next generation leader with global experience, field posts on three continents, and the ultimate trifecta of expertise...
December 1, 2020 • 3 Minute Read
Elisabeth De Dobbeleer
Vice President, EMEAR Partner Lead
Cisco Systems
If you are looking for a leader with global experience, international assignments living in Asia, North Africa, and EMEA, and has a technology, legal and partner background, we know the person─Elisabeth De Dobbeleer!
Elisabeth is Cisco EMEA’s partner organization leader and has responsibility for developing strategic initiatives and program innovations with Cisco’s EMEA channel partners to grow a profitable business together. She has spent eighteen years at Cisco in a variety of global and regional roles, leveraging her legal background, but also her change agent, operational and business development skills. Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Elisabeth De Dobbeleer!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I have a black belt 2nd Dan in judo and used to compete in the Belgian championship.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Not sure to be honest! Never counted!
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Grilled ants in Thailand when I was 18 years old whilst doing work for an NGO building a water reservoir for a local school.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
I was made redundant once. It made me rethink how companies reflect on their workforce and talent, how human quality transpires in everything you do and say, and how ultimately there are more important things in life than work, regardless how engaged, passionate and committed one may be. This experience gave me more of a Zen approach to work and helped me build resilience, yet still being as passionate as ever about work.
The other experience would be having become a mother to my 2 fantastic boys.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I did not have one mentor, but always had several people I admired and/or respected and somehow, they provided me feedback and/or advice at the right time. I think that if you are open to it, there is lots of useful free advice around you! One piece of advice that stayed with me for many years was to always look for a new experience, keep learning, executing and then move on to grow yourself and learn more. All experience is good as long as you keep learning and growing.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Don’t be so shy. The older I get, the more I dare and the better it works. I think so at least!
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I will always say yes whenever anyone reaches out for a chat or some advice.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Anything to do with Cisco’s ‘as a service’ journey, whether reflecting on what it takes to adapt local market access requirements or new business models, and corresponding monetization strategies for our partners.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I am working to keep up with the technology changes and trends.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
The right combination of agility and speed, yet always keeping an open mind to see opportunity.
