In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, I sit down with Maitjian Welke, founder and co-owner of CMI Solutions, a Silicon Valley based managed IT services and cybersecurity company she founded in 2008.

Maitjian shares her journey from growing up in Indonesia to becoming a software engineer in Silicon Valley, leading global engineering teams at companies like IBM, Cisco, and VMware, and eventually building her own business alongside her husband. Along the way, she learned that some of the most common business advice, like “you must be a natural salesperson to succeed,” simply wasn’t true for her.

Instead, Majun built her company by leaning into her real strength: solving problems and helping people. We talk about why trying to fit into someone else’s leadership mold can backfire, and how staying authentic can lead to stronger teams, better decisions, and more sustainable growth.

We explore:

- Why networking doesn’t have to mean working the room

- How focusing on service can outperform chasing revenue

- The difference between optics and real leadership

- Why accuracy and overthinking can slow decision-making

- How imposter syndrome shows up even after success

- What it takes to lead without losing yourself

Maitjian also shares how cybersecurity and AI are reshaping small businesses, why education and prevention matter more than panic, and what leaders need to understand about protecting their organizations in an increasingly digital world.

This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about following someone else’s formula; it’s about knowing your strengths, listening to your instincts, and building a business that reflects your values.

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