Diversity Drives Better Results: Cisco Chief

Robbins says diversity isn't about metrics, but assembling teams offering varied solutions and perspectives

- Dipali Banka

Chuck Robbins, chairman and chief executive of Cisco Systems Inc., believes that having a diverse workforce improves business outcomes.

Robbins, who was raised in Georgia, shared the example of Jeetu Patel, the company's president and chief product officer, who grew up in India, and said the different life experiences mean they think differently, and diversity of their thoughts often leads to great ideas, which is just the "power of diversity."