Look around – the possibilities to make a difference are endless! Remember, you get what you give
3 min read
Cisco Poland Superheroes is a series of brief interviews highlighting remarkable talents of Cisco Poland employees, or what we fondly refer to as their “superpowers”. These superpowers encompass the extraordinary endeavors they pursue beyond their everyday roles at Cisco, illustrating how they embody our Purpose to “Power an Inclusive Future for All.” Our next Superhero featured in the series is Marcin Sierzchała, Technical Consulting Engineer at our Krakow office. Read his story and learn more about his superpowers!
What is your superpower?
I am a positive thinker, always open to new ideas and challenges. My goal is to enhance the world around me, and I’m not afraid to take bold steps when I see opportunities for improvement. My journey with Cisco began nearly two years ago in the Customer Experience (CX) Academy, and from the very beginning, I had the drive to do something more for society. I firmly believe in the mantra, “you get what you give”—a sentiment echoed in a great song.
Initially, I knew very little about my core responsibilities in the TAC Data Center, as well as the intricacies of corporate life and culture. The Connected Poland teams inspired me with their generous contributions to fellow Cisconians, and I was impressed by Cisco’s volunteering programs, like Time2Give. This motivated me to dive in fully.
I had the privilege to organize a Giving Back activity for my team, leading to a rewarding partnership with Fundacja Ronalda McDonalda (FRM). This marked the start of my journey as their Ambassador, supporting their mission wholeheartedly.
Understanding that NGOs thrive on volunteer support, I reached out to my colleagues at Cisco to engage them in volunteering activities with FRM. I also emphasize the simplicity and mutual benefits of volunteering. Through the Benevity portal, Cisco tracks volunteering hours, contributing $10 to the Foundation for each registered hour. The impact is profound—over a year, I engaged 15+ Cisco teams and 150+ volunteers, accumulating approximately 850 volunteer hours. Imagine the difference if every hour is logged in Benevity—it’s incredible!
FRM’s mission is creating, supporting and implementing programs that help children live healthy and prosperous lives and helps their families stay together, especially during long hospital treatments. It offers numerous impactful initiatives, such as “A hat from the heart,” where volunteers crochet hats for children in hospitals. The collaboration between the Giving Back team and the craftsman circle brought smiles to 72 children when they needed it most.
Recently, I was honored to be offered the role of Co-Leader for the Giving Back Pillar in Connected Poland. Together with my Co-Lead partner, Mariusz, we strive to expand the Cisco Giving Back community in Poland. Our mission is to maximize our impact, educate employees about volunteering and donation opportunities, and nurture our invaluable Ambassadors.
We recognized a gap in knowledge about creating volunteering opportunities, so we compiled a comprehensive “How-to” guide accessible to all. Our aim is to simplify the process for current and future ambassadors, making it easier for them to make a difference.
How are you using your superpower in daily life?
In addition to my role as FRM Ambassador, I am actively involved with my core team at the TAC Data Center. I take great pleasure in organizing Team Connect events, which provide an excellent opportunity to bring team members together in a hybrid work environment and explore new activities or cuisines. Remember to make the most of your team budget!
I am constantly looking for ways to enhance daily operations, technical processes, and the onboarding experience for new team members. Staying connected to my roots in the CX Academy is important to me. I enjoy participating in the early stages of new graduates’ journeys at Cisco, leading sessions, and sharing my expertise as a Subject Matter Expert. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you first join a large organization like Cisco, so I aim to offer guidance and support.
How can one be a Superhero today? How can you contribute?
It’s not easy to extend ourselves beyond our core job responsibilities, but there is undeniable joy in doing so. Numerous opportunities exist to support a cause or assist a colleague.
The biggest challenge with giving is that people often expect something in return. If there’s no immediate gratification, reward, or acknowledgment, the giver may feel frustrated. But it’s important to reflect—why did you take the initiative? Was it for a reward, recognition, or status? Or was it simply to help and contribute positively to the world? While recognition and gratitude are important, the essence of giving lies in the desire to give. When you give because you genuinely want to, it becomes truly meaningful.
Look around; the possibilities to make a difference are endless! Remember, you get what you give. 
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Excellent. Great to read this