#274: Chuck Robbins, Chairman & CEO, Cisco – Adapt your leadership style episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 15, 2026 · 1H 5M

#274: Chuck Robbins, Chairman & CEO, Cisco – Adapt your leadership style

from How Leaders Lead with David Novak · host David Novak

Great leaders don’t cling to one leadership style. They adapt as people and situations change. And they figure out how to do it without losing what makes them real. Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins shares how he’s learned to lead through major transformation with honesty, vulnerability, and a clear understanding of what his people – all 90,000 of them – need from him. If you're navigating change (or just trying to be a little more human as a leader!), then this one’s for you. You’ll also learn: How to scale your business through the right partnerships The hidden opportunity in almost every customer crisis 3 ways to lead through big change Why “chasing the competition” is a losing game Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Great leaders don’t cling to one leadership style. They adapt as people and situations change. And they figure out how to do it without losing what makes them real. Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins shares how he’s learned to lead through major transformation with honesty, vulnerability, and a clear understanding of what his people – all 90,000 of them – need from him. If you're navigating change (or just trying to be a little more human as a leader!), then this one’s for you. You’ll also learn: How to scale your business through the right partnerships The hidden opportunity in almost every customer crisis 3 ways to lead through big change Why “chasing the competition” is a losing game Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

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#274: Chuck Robbins, Chairman & CEO, Cisco – Adapt your leadership style

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This episode is 1 hour and 5 minutes long.

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This episode was published on January 15, 2026.

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Great leaders don’t cling to one leadership style. They adapt as people and situations change. And they figure out how to do it without losing what makes them real. Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins shares how he’s learned to lead through major...

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