53 | Leadership, Navigating Fear, Finding Empathy | My Top 10 Learnings from 3 Years at Microsoft

Today's episode is a solo discussion, culminating the top 10 learnings I've pulled away from a little over 3 years working at Microsoft US. These learnings were the outcome of numerous collaborations with amazing colleagues, mentors, and leaders within the Microsoft ecosystem and network. None of these were possible without the incredible opportunities provided by a thriving culture that is incentivized on empathy, creating impact for others and leveraging the impact of others, and a dynamic sense of doing things that are good for the world.Top 10 Learnings:1. What makes you fearful, is a worthy pursuit2. Lead with empathy3. Establish a routine4. Be clear about your values, and do your best to align your work, with your values5. Don't start your day until you finish it6. Write a damn good email7. Lead every human engagement with positivity & energy8. Do your best to include the smallest voice in the room9. Have a distinct and specific vision, and revisit often10. What is your legacy?Key Takeaways[03:10] What makes you fearful is a worth pursuit[07:58] Lead with empathy[11:30] Establish a routine[15:43] Be clear about your values[18:10] Don’t start your day until you finish it[22:14] You have to track you time if you want to manage your time[27:44] Lead every human engagement with positivity and energy[29:00] Do your best to include the smallest voice in the room[30:40] Have a distinct and specific vision and revisit that vision often[34:37] Determine what your legacy isMemorable Quotes[04:05] “I really believe that if something is giving you fear, then it is something that you should really really compound and focus on.”[09:58] “I’m very hopeful about the world doing something about climate change.”[18:42] “Plan out your day before you start your day. Have that routine.”[23:17] “There is a way to manage your time but you cannot manage your time if you don’t diagnose and track your time.”Resources:Waking Up App by Sam Harris - https://wakingup.com/Jim Rohn - https://www.jimrohn.com/The Social Dilemma (Netflix) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Social_DilemmaKate Johnson (Microsoft President) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katejohnsonatms/The Values Deck | A Card Sorting Game to Explore Your Personal Values: https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Your-Values-The-Deck/dp/0578493616#:~:text=%20The%20Values%20Deck%20%201%20Make%20sure,individual%20values%20organized%20by%20color-coded%20categories%20More%20Books Mentioned:Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson - https://www.amazon.com/Just-Mercy-Story-Justice-Redemption/dp/081298496XMiracle Morning Millionaires: What the Wealthy Do Before 8AM That Will Make You Rich by Hal Elrod - https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Millionaires-Wealthy-Before/dp/1942589239The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker - https://www.amazon.com/Effective-Executive-Definitive-Harperbusiness-Essentials/dp/0060833459Thank you for listening!--------------------------------Join the **New Monthly Newsletter** - Data Binge REFRESH: https://www.derekwesleyrussell.com/newsletterInterested in starting your own podcast? Some candid advice here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-start-podcast-3-step-gono-go-beginners-guide-derek-russellLearn more about the Data Binge Podcast at www.thedatabinge.comConnect with Derek:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekwesleyrussell/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN1c5mzapLZ55ciPgngqRMg/featuredInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drussnetwork/Twitter: https://twitter.com/drussnetworkMedium: https://medium.com/@derekwesleyrussellEmail: [email protected]