SHIFT HAPPENS-EP.32: Feedback is a Gift - But you have to Open It w/Gary Wolfson

About this episode

In this episode, Jeff and Gary Wolfson discuss the importance of feedback and trust in partner programs, sharing insights from the Cisco 360 Partner Program.

In the latest episode of Shift Happens, Jeff sits down with Gary Wolfson, Director of Global Partner Communities at Cisco, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really took to co-design The Cisco 360 Partner Program—not just in theory, but in practice. This isn’t just a story about partner programs—it’s a masterclass in trust. Gary breaks down the difference between listening and hearing (and why partners know instantly which one you’re doing), and introduces a simple but powerful framework: listen → interpret → act → be accountable. Sounds simple… until you try to do it at global scale, across thousands of partners, in the middle of massive change. What unfolds is a story of courage, vulnerability, and consistency—where trust wasn’t built through words, but through action, rhythm, and follow-through. From early skepticism in Dublin to confidence at Partner Summit, this episode captures the real shift: when feedback stops being a checkbox and becomes your identity. Why listen: • 🎯 Learn the 3-part framework that turns feedback into real action (and trust) • 🤝 Understand why “listening vs. hearing” is the difference between credibility… and noise • 🚀 See how co-design, done…

People in this episode

Host: Jeff

Guest: Gary Wolfson

Topics covered

• feedback
• trust
• partner programs
• co-design
• listening
• accountability

Keywords

• feedback
• trust
• listening
• co-design
• accountability
• Cisco 360 Partner Program
• Partner Summit

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cisco, Cisco 360 Partner Program

Places: Dublin

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