Jeanette Cajide

Strategy and Operations Leader - Writer - Speaker - Athlete

Jeanette Cajide is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse background in technology innovation, business development, and journalism.

She holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, a Master in Business Administration from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

With a strong foundation in academic excellence, Jeanette has contributed her insights to reputable publications such as The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, TechCrunch, Wall Street Journal, and more.

Her professional journey includes roles such as Vice President of Strategy at Dialexa, Strategy and Operations Director at Clareo, Product Strategy and Operations for Forest Software at Clareo, and Founding Team Member at Dialexa Labs at Vinli Inc.

Moreover, Jeanette has showcased her talents in various spheres, from being a Contributing Writer at The Huffington Post to holding the position of Vice President of Corporate Development at Dialexa.

In addition to her corporate endeavors, Jeanette Cajide is an accomplished USFS adult figure skater, clinching the Midwestern Sectionals Gold Medalist and National's Gold Medalist titles in 2019.

Her educational background includes intensive studies in Public Administration, Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Journalism, reflecting her dedication to continuous learning and growth.

Throughout her career, Jeanette has demonstrated her prowess in strategic planning, business operations, product management, and corporate development, working with esteemed organizations like Goldman Sachs, Accenture, and Merrill Lynch.

With a passion for innovation and a drive for success, Jeanette Cajide is a multifaceted professional who continues to inspire through her achievements and contributions across various industries.

Highlights

Nov 22 · twitter

In this video, former Google CEO @ericschmidt and @Codie_Sanchez discuss hiring "divas." Here's the thing: hiring a competent diva can work—but in my own experience, only if they’re surrounded by A players.

A competent diva in a room full of B and C players? That’s a recipe for friction and frustration.

So, what’s a workplace diva according to Eric?

➡ They expect a lot. ➡ They drive people hard. ➡ They’re controversial. ➡ And they care passionately.

It’s easy to see how this rubs B and C players the wrong way.

The intensity, high standards, and passion of a corporate diva can feel like a spotlight on mediocrity—and not everyone thrives under that light.

In the video, Codie also mentions the key trait she looks for in her team ➡ relentless people 👏

That hit home for me because if there’s one trait that’s propelled me through life and work, it’s my relentless spirit.

🤕 Broken leg? No problem—I still have plenty of other body parts to work with that I can maintain while the bone heals. 👊 Broken wrist? No big deal—my legs can skate just fine. Just don't fall and try to catch myself. 💪 Dislocated shoulder? I can do ballet with one arm and challenge my core.

This mindset is how I show up in life and work—for myself. But for others?

Let’s just say my expectations are much lower… and yet, people still manage to disappoint me. 😂 It’s giving Miranda Priestly vibes from The Devil Wears Prada. But after reflecting on my work experiences, I’ve realized this frustration isn’t with A players—it’s the B and C players that cannot be bothered to elevate their skills.

So, what’s the solution? Here are two paths forward:

1️⃣ Develop leadership skills to elevate B and C players.

Often, these individuals haven’t had the right mentorship or opportunities to build the skills they need to become A players. I was fortunate that my first job out of college was as an investment banker on Wall Street. Not everyone gets that kind of "school of hard knocks" experience, and strong leadership can make all the difference.

2️⃣ Work somewhere that only hires A players.

The catch? Environments like these can sometimes veer into toxicity. To thrive, it’s essential to align with leaders whose values and vision resonate with you. "A players" thrive under leadership that is demanding and inspiring.

So the next time you encounter a workplace diva, as long as they are getting the work done AND it is elevating the performance of everyone around them -- step to the side and just let them do their job.