Exploring Leadership Program at Microsoft

I am immensely proud to share the completion of the 8-week Exploring Leadership course at Microsoft, a program I had the distinct honor of co-leading. This journey has been one of profound growth, where we planted the seeds of leadership, nurtured them, and watched them flourish.

Program Overview: The mission of the Exploring Leadership Program is to build a diverse bench of Microsoft employees and equip them with tools to step into leadership roles and prepare for more significant responsibilities. Each session of this program was thoughtfully designed to instill leadership principles, enhance personal strengths, and cultivate effective leadership styles.

Course Content and Highlights:

Leadership Foundations: We began our journey by understanding what leadership truly means within the Microsoft context. This foundational session was akin to planting the first seed, focusing on Microsoft Leadership Principles: creating clarity, generating energy, and delivering success. We emphasized the importance of modeling, coaching, and caring as managerial expectations, aligning with Microsoft’s core values of respect, integrity, and accountability.

Personal and Professional Development: As we progressed, we delved into personal leadership development. Participants explored their character strengths through various tools such as the Character Strengths Test and the Johari Window Model. This stage was about nurturing the roots, helping our future leaders understand themselves better and build stronger relationships with their teams.

Leadership Styles: Understanding and adapting different leadership styles was another critical aspect. We discussed various styles including visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting, and commanding, and examined models like the Seven Transformations of Leadership and Servant Leadership. This session was akin to observing the branches of a growing tree, each representing a unique approach to leadership.

Clear Leadership and Partnership: We learned the importance of creating clarity in every interaction and within every group. By using techniques from the Clear Leadership model by Professor Gervis Bushe, participants developed skills to improve communication, resolve misunderstandings, and maintain focus during discussions. This was essential for fostering transparent and effective leadership.

Influencing and Driving Change: Change is an inevitable part of any organization, and we explored tools to implement change successfully. Utilizing the Change Formula and Prosci ADKAR Model, leaders were equipped to manage transitions smoothly and help their teams adapt effectively. This was akin to a tree bending in the wind without breaking, demonstrating resilience and flexibility.

Scaling Yourself: We emphasized the importance of strategic workload management through delegation and appropriate leadership styles. By understanding the Situational Leadership model and mastering time management, leaders learned to deliver results through others while maintaining focus on strategic and cultural goals.

Diversity and Inclusion: Building inclusive teams was another cornerstone of the program. Leaders were taught to value diversity and inclusion, recognizing the benefits of varied perspectives in decision-making. We explored biases using the SEEDS model and emphasized the keys to inclusive leadership: commitment, humility, awareness, curiosity, cultural intelligence, and effective collaboration.

Mock Interviews and Personal Leadership Philosophy: The program culminated with mock interviews and the development of personal leadership philosophies. Participants practiced integrating their learnings into their leadership style, reflecting on questions that leaders commonly face. This final stage represented the full bloom of their leadership journey, ready to lead with authenticity and confidence.

Conclusion and Commitment to Growth: As we concluded this enriching journey, I am proud of the progress and development exhibited by all participants. To mark the completion of this program, and in line with our commitment to growth and sustainability, I have made a donation to One Tree Planted, resulting in the planting of a tree. This gesture symbolizes our dedication to nurturing not only our leaders but also our environment.

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