3 Professional Reflections After 160 Days Back At Microsoft
Recent studies show that approximately 24 billion hours are lost yearly due to unproductive meetings.
My 160 days back in corporate America reveal why. Curiosity has become corporate kryptonite. Questions are instantly interpreted as statements. Asking "Could this messaging be stronger?" and people defend rather than explore. This defensive posture kills innovation before it starts.
We're drowning in conversation but starving for decisions.
Everyone wants to be in the room where it happens. Few want to be the person who makes the call. The result? Endless meetings that produce PowerPoint decks instead of progress.
Documentation isn't optional—it's oxygen.
If you'd like to discuss it in a call, you can write a message. Yet we've created a culture where quick calls and chat messages replace clear, written communication. This isn't efficiency—it's avoidance.
Customer focus is the compass we're not using.
Real impact happens when we look beyond slides and processes to the people doing the jobs we serve. Every document, meeting, and decision should answer one question: How does this help our customer win?
The path forward is paved with intentional action.
Create paper trails, build resource libraries, make decisions, and document them. These aren't just good practices—they're the foundation of sustainable corporate success.
The future belongs to those who make it easier for others to succeed.
Start by writing it down.