The Power of Quiet Wins

Some wins live quietly in the background, the kind that change you more than they change your career. This one is for Randy.

When I look back on my career, I think about the wins that went unnoticed, the quiet ones that shaped who I am.

One of those moments came during my time at HP. The networking industry was shifting, moving from managing switches one by one to software-defined networking, an entirely new way of thinking about connectivity.

I built a story about that change, why it mattered, how it would reshape the future, and what it meant for customers and teams. It sat quietly, waiting for the right moment and the right voice to lift it.

That voice was Randy’s.

Randy was a peer, but more than that, he was a mentor, a friend, and one of the most authentic people I’ve known. He had a way of bringing out the best in people, of pushing them gently but firmly outside their comfort zone. He believed in me before I did.

He helped me get that story added to the HP Ambassador Summit, and eventually, it became part of the HP Customer Experience Roadshow. But the real story wasn’t the professional win, it was the personal one.

Randy taught me more than he ever realized. He lived life with intensity and humility, with stories full of gratitude and heart. He faced every challenge, even cancer, with quiet strength and grace.

He passed away this year, but his lessons never left me. His belief, his courage, and his gratitude still echo in how I show up today.

When I think about quiet wins, I think of Randy. I think of the way he made others better simply by believing in them. And I think about my own mantra, never miss a Monday. Because showing up, even when it’s hard, is what keeps that quiet strength alive.

Who’s the “Randy” in your story, the person whose belief changed your direction?