Artificial ignorance

In the wake of the Microsoft-Yahoo acquisition proposal, I’ve met quite a few disappointed Yahooligans. And they are not disappointed that they’d be working at Microsoft, they are disappointed that they’d be working for Steve Ballmer. And it’s not just the Yahooligans – I can’t tell you how many random people I’ve met who just simply hate Ballmer. And none of their experiences have been personal. I can see how Ballmer can come across as a mean, shrewd and cocky person who likes to eat babies and kills people for sport, but I’m here to tell you that Ballmer is probably the most intelligent, tactical and loyal person I’ve ever known. Clearly, this is going to be hard to digest especially considering I work at Microsoft.

I know, I know, I’ve seen the videos. I’ve heard about the Lucovsky incident. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there. I don’t know what happened. But I don’t think people give Ballmer enough credit. I think people have to realize that this man sleeps like 4 hours a day, if that. Every word coming out of his mouth has the potential to change the world in some way. It’d be ridiculous to think that everything he says out loud hasn’t been planned or rehearsed multiple multiple times (some people think he just mouths off). Take this video for example : Continue reading

Yesterday marked my 3 year anniversary as a ‘softie. As I look back over these 3 years, I can’t help but be thankful for all the things the company’s done for me. I don’t mean to sound like a fan-boy (do Microsoft fan-boys even exist?), but for all the crap that people throw our way, present company included, I wanted to take some time to appreciate everything this company and my colleagues have done for me.

There have definitely been a lot of positives from a work perspective – I’ve learned a tremendous lot on the job, I’ve been able to meet a lot of people, I’ve been able to watch some of the best, most talented speakers (like Chris Capossela) speak live. But what’s amazing is how much the job has helped me personally as well. I can’t even start to enumerate some of these personal things I’ve been able to accomplish. Not that it hasn’t come at a cost, but overall it’s been really worth it. I am really very grateful.

Now time for my Oscar-acceptance-style-thank-yous : Continue reading