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“Cut through to the friend lane. One kind word can change everything.”

Imagine you’re in line at your favorite coffee shop, half-distracted by scrolling on your phone, when someone ahead of you compliments your jacket. It’s unexpected, genuine, and - just like that - you’re in a conversation. Maybe you bond over a shared love of vintage finds. Maybe you discover you work in the same industry. Maybe, just maybe, this moment turns into something bigger: a new friendship, a job opportunity, a connection you never saw coming.

This is exactly what happened to Taina Palombo-Price, Director of Product Marketing at Cisco… except her spontaneous compliment sparked a decade-long friendship. Ever since, she’s been living by a mantra, "Say the quiet part out loud." It’s helped her build meaningful connections in both her career and personal life. 

As an expert product marketing leader with experience at industry giants like Meta and LinkedIn, she knows a thing or two about networking, authenticity, and building community. In this episode of The Joy of Connecting show, she shares how one simple compliment sparked a decade-long friendship and why saying what you’re thinking (yes, even at daycare pickup) can shift the course of your life - personally and professionally.

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We discuss:

• How a spontaneous compliment can be the start of a life-changing connection
• Why small, authentic moments are the building blocks of real community
• Why connecting over personal experiences lasts longer than career ties
• Practical tips for building community and finding your voice

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So, when was the last time a small compliment led to something big? Tune in, get inspired, and maybe even try out Taina’s go-to icebreaker (hint: emojis are involved). 😉

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👉 Find Taina on LinkedIn

👉 Learn more about Cisco, the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era.

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