Being Bold – Challenging conventions. Leading across frontiers

The Being Bold Narrative

It was 2016. Microsoft Ready was happening with all its glitz and glamor, under arc lights and fade outs at Orlando. I was lucky to be invited. Microsoft Services India had posted impressive results that year with a lot of key wins.

There were many sessions as expected. Two that stood out for me was Satya’s (to call it a keynote would be an insult, because Satya has his own ways of connecting with and inspiring people – It’s always a ???? ??? for me. Translated that means "A word of honor and truth.”

Then, there was the Microsoft Services Session, with all our Leaders and some marquee customers take to the stage and share experiences. The theme that was running across the Services Session was #BeBold.

I recall our ex CTO, the inimical Norm Judah, take to the stage and provoke people to be bold. I, the 4- year-old new kind-in-town at Microsoft gathered the courage and told him that I was not getting support from the Engineering teams for one of the largest commercial transportation projects. He pushed me back in his usual cadence and challenged me, “RR, What’s in it for the Customer and Microsoft”. We exchanged a few conversational pow-wows on the sidelines. Then, like a true sensei he told me… “this is what you should do ………)

My colleague Laura Longcore was our Vice President in charge of marketing services. She was the orchestrator of all the sessions and as expected she did it with absolute mastery. Among all things she did, she produced a lot of event specific trousseaus – one of the was an Astronaut – who had “Be Bold” written across his visor. I picked up two of them – one I gave to my daughter and the other I held close to my chest – it is part of my work desk still today.

Back to ???? ??? – One of the things that I clearly remember Satya saying, “I am challenging each one of you to do things that are innovative and right but may put your job on the line. Are you willing to go that distance?”

Post all the sessions, everybody was headed to the Justine Bieber & Julio Iglesias show. I rode with a few folks and then stopped midway and called for a cab back to the hotel. My colleagues asked, “Are you sure you want to miss this show?”. I said yes. I ratified that where I come from Justin and Julio don’t make my cut (very against #inclusivity). The day I can get to hear Clapton, Eagles, Santana, and Queen, I would surely invest my time.

With their shrugging shoulders as a response, I took a cab back to my hotel.

I ordered a pot of hot Americano and started playing with all the trinkets (stickers, universal adapters, power banks etc. and of course, that Astronaut) and before long I dozed off and had to resort to some in room dining when I woke up.

Presenting the Be Bold Astronaut

The #BeBoldAstronaut is a cute USB powered Laptop/Reading Lamp. When its Visor is on it Reads “Be Bold” and when you flip it back “his eyes shine on the light so you can read”

The question that I always have asked myself.

• Is it that #Bold is a #Badge you wear or is it something You #Do?
• If you remove that visor, what are you shining your light on or what is your “light” in the first place?
• What risks are your taking? 
• Will you be #shamed if you #failed?
• The USB wire is your lifeline to your mother ship, what if that gets cut off?
• You have suddenly lost all the #power of Microsoft that you believed was yours, and now it’s gone!
• Are you willing to become part of the constellation of possibilities, even when you have been let go from the mother ship? 

What have we as Microsoft done, by being #bold

A lot, actually

1. We committed to a Zero Carbon Program and early evidence is showing the results of our commitment.
2. We are enabling thousands of students to gear up to the skills of the present so that they can secure their futures.
3. We have made affordable broadband access a lynchpin for empowering those who are denied of connectivity to enable their #livelihood.
4. We have taken a stand on human rights #blacklivesmatter.
5. Our AI for Earth Program transcends many aspects of our commitment to preserve and improve our natural ecosystem.
6. Our narrative on sustainability not only touches the aspects of our ecosystem, but also #humanlives

Questions I still seek to find answers to

1.      What is life beyond a lifeline?

2.      What is my CQ (Courage Quotient)?

3.      What will I leave behind when I become part of the universe beyond my “physical” existence?

4.      What alternate worlds can we create while I am around so that the planet is happier and healthier?

5.      What is the story I will write for those who follow? 

6.      How will I inspire the “next”?

I will end with a quote and picture from one of my favorite movies, The Gladiator

What will you and I do #together in Life that will echo in #eternity?