3 Decades & Counting: Why I’ve been with Microsoft for 30 years?

Today marks a very special day in my professional journey as I complete 30 years of service at Microsoft. I can’t believe it has been 3 decades since my first day here. It seems like just yesterday when I walked into the Redmond office on June 29, 1992. I could’ve never imagined I’d stay this long in the first company I’d join after my masters.

They say, “You’re always one decision away from a totally different life.” When I came across this quote, I found myself reflecting upon the last 30 years I’ve had the good fortune of working with Microsoft and how I could’ve had a completely different career and life, had I accepted the job offer from another company.

In 1992, I had two job?offers?– one from?Microsoft –?which at the time was?a small startup?operating out of?Redmond.?The second, from an?oil rigging company which was offering me double the?salary?package of what Microsoft was offering at the time.

This was a substantial difference. One that could mean more financial prosperity; but money was not my highest priority. There was something special about Microsoft. The depth and insight with which my interviews were conducted attracted me more to the company. I remember, it was a series of 8 interview rounds, right from breakfast to dinner – and each round was tough and grueling. The questions challenged me and made me want to apply all my intellectual prowess to solve these highly complicated problem statements in a simple yet elegant way. Moreover, what also truly inspired me were the cutting-edge products that these engineers were working on, which were designed for planet scale impact; joining Microsoft was providing me an opportunity to be a part of this endeavor.

Building 18 at the Microsoft Campus, Redmond where my journey started in June 1992

But the question ‘Why are you still with Microsoft?’ is one I have been asked many times over the years. When I look back, I realize there are four main reasons which have furthered my journey here.

• Impact: The Impact I can have on the planet
• People: The world class folks I get to work with
• Career:?Learning and growing
• Fun: We have fun. Seriously!

Creating world class products – shipping Office for Android & iOS

The Impact I can have on the planet

I’m still as excited today after 30 years as I was in the first month or the first year because of the purpose of the organization – it has always been elevated. The vision has been ambitious and ahead of its time. Back in the 90s, the mission was to have ‘A computer on every desk and in every home’. This is the kind of planet scale impact I had joined Microsoft for.

Now, the purpose is altruistic at its core. The mission statement, “to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more” is such an elevated goal. Where I, in my capacity, can create a positive impact for everyone in the world irrespective of who they are and where they come from, this in turn empowers and energizes me. I’ve been fortunate enough to see the impact of our work on a macro, micro and even a personal level.

In 1994, when I had been in Microsoft for about 2 years in Redmond, I came to India on a visit. I met a college friend in Delhi after years. He began talking about a product he’d built for the local market. He was really excited about his product and showed me a demo. I thought the product was quite cool and started asking him questions about how he built it.

He said, “Oh I built it in Excel using visual basic compiler.”

The Visual Basic team that I had joined at Lake Bill in 1992

I couldn’t believe it. I was working on Visual Basic in Excel’s spreadsheet area at the time. He made his product using the tool I built along with my team members on the other side of the planet. When I was working on it, I didn’t know my work would impact my classmate’s life for the better. I was thrilled. In that moment I felt proud yet humbled.

In another instance, around 5 years ago, a team from Redmond was visiting India. We’d all stepped out to sightsee and shop. While browsing through an electronic store and talking to the salesperson, a colleague asked him about what technology they used to run the store. He started praising a product they’d been using, which had simplified running the business. “This product is the best thing that could’ve happened to our business. It helps solve problems and enables us to communicate better.” So, we asked them what the product was.

He said, “Let me show you,” and showed us Kaizala! This remains an unforgettable moment for me. Our team built that product from scratch. To view your creation adopted in the world and hearing how it’s been of help to people, was a seminal moment for me.

If you’re in a dilemma and are evaluating which organization you’d want to work with, what I can share based on my learning is that, in the long run, the purpose of the company should align with your purpose. For you to feel connected in terms of doing something meaningful, creating value by helping improve people’s lives in some way. Being with Microsoft, I get to be part of that journey, which I’m as excited about today as I was on Day 1.

What kept me going? The awesome people I work with

I read this famous quote, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Think about it. We spend a considerable amount of time with the people we work with. I feel honored to have had the privilege to work with some of the smartest people on the planet and learn from them. These are incredibly driven individuals who have been carefully handpicked to be a part of the Microsoft global family.

Every day, I look forward to working with these remarkable people because I know I can learn from them. There have been instances when I thought I had the best solution, but I’d go to lunch with a colleague who’s still early in their career and by the end of the lunch I’d have to reevaluate my solution because they would have asked me such pertinent questions which would compel me to think of an even better outcome.

One such instance was when I was asked ‘What is the right thing to do?’. My manager at the time Kurt DelBene asked this and I was baffled. We were discussing a problem at hand, and I was presenting possible options. I didn’t have an answer. If you think about it, you may come up with multiple possible solutions to a problem, but do you consider if it’s the right thing to do? That is such a powerful statement. It changed the way I viewed or thought about solutions to any problem.

L to R - With Rajesh Jha, Kurt DelBene, Tim Paterson, Satya Nadella, Steve Balmer, Bill Gates

This and many more learnings which I’ve gained over the years from the incredible people I’ve worked with – from all around the world – are my prized possessions. They’ve helped me stay curious and eager like I was in my first year at Microsoft.

Career growth & learning which have made me a better leader

I truly believe, over these 30 years, the company and its culture have helped me become the best professional I could have been – and the journey continues.... I never studied at a business school, but Microsoft has invested in me, my growth and honed me to become a better leader than I could’ve envisioned for myself.?I feel I have an MBA from ‘Microsoft School of Business’. I’ve had the opportunity to receive training in various facets from the most renowned and respectable coaches, experts, and mentors.

I recall another quote which truly captures the essence of the concept of ‘growth’ “If you’re not growing, you’re dying”. Microsoft has always believed in a culture of growth and learning. It empowers you to own your career and direct your journey wherever you aspire.

Continuous professional and personal growth have been integral to my journey at Microsoft and have kept me going. From a geek to a manager to the leader I am today, I’ve witnessed my own evolution.

We have fun, seriously!

Contrary to the notion that it may be boring to work at a 9 to 5 job, working at Microsoft is super fun! Firstly, it may not necessarily be 9 to 5, the company gives you the flexibility to work as per your preference - ‘the best way you can’.

L to R - Customer visit to Paris | Colleagues in Redmond in the 90s | Rafting in Rishikesh with the IDC Leadership Team | Visit to the Red Fort

It’s a culture that helps you thrive in and a work life you derive joy from in a wholesome manner. From intellectual stimulation, creative satisfaction, smart colleagues, peers, to fun experiences – I can assure you working at Microsoft has been anything but boring.

L-R - With my family in Hyderabad in 2003 after we moved back from Redmond | At my daughter’s haldi ceremony | At Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery in Bhutan | A tabla performance for the Leadership Team in Delhi

I have had the fortune of making some lifelong friends and memories at this place and the flexible culture has allowed me to lead a wholesome life.

Be it spending quality time with my family, my love for travel, spirituality and meditation or playing the tabla – I've been able to strike a balance between work, home and beyond and make time for all the pursuits that bring me joy and add meaning to my life.

What’s next?

L to R – Anant Maheshwari, Gaurav Sareen & I at the Sovereign Capital Gate | Admiring the beautiful Taj inspired interior design at the Noida office

What I am looking forward to is to build a world leading product development center in India. That journey is on...

Much like Microsoft Redmond center, I always felt that the India Development Centre has had great potential. When I came here, back in 2003, my vision was to build a world class development center in India which had only a minimal number of employees at the time. From then to now, our growth has been exponential as we’ve grown into a family of thousands. Now we are at the cusp of creating incredible impact.

The next chapter for me and what I’m looking forward to is building not only a world class but a world leading development center. The next level really is about being the game changer.

The next major impact we can create is for the four billion people in Asia and Africa. Those who are just getting exposed to technology for the first time in their lives. We want to build products that will help them be more successful. That is the mission now.

With IDC’s phenomenal expansion from starting in Hyderabad 25 years ago, then to Bangalore 17 years ago, the dream now is to build another world class site in Noida, which will be as important, as effective, as impactful as any other development center in the world.

My goal is for IDC to provide ample opportunity to Indian talent where the next generation engineers can impact 7 billion people on the planet. That is what keeps me excited and going every single day.

Since I’ve been with Microsoft for 30 years now, another question I’m asked sometimes is, would you ever see yourself working anywhere else? To that, I’d say, Microsoft has given me the experience, opportunity, and platform to create positive impact world over, making a global citizen out of a simple village boy.

From working in US and India, visiting almost every continent, having met people from all walks of life, anything I aspire I have been able to and can achieve here. There were times I had thought of quitting early in my journey, but I’m very glad that I didn’t. 30 years on, I think it’s safe to say Microsoft is in my DNA now. This is my family, my home.

Inaugurating the Sovereign Capital Gate Microsoft office in Noida

When I look at my journey over the last 30 years, I’m astonished. Born in a hamlet and raised in a small town called?Sahibganj in Jharkhand - from there to St. Xaviers, to IIT, Roorkee then to UT Austin to pursue a PhD, eventually dropping out and ending up in Microsoft. It has been a dream run.

But it all starts with Day 1. Day 1 of any of life’s milestones are special, memories of which stay with you for a lifetime. Little did I know on that first very cold day in Seattle that my life was going to change forever. From Day 1 to Day 10950 and still counting, I’m beyond grateful for how my life and career have evolved over the last 30 years.