Microsoft’s head of comms is leaving after almost 20 years

(don’t bury the lede)

After 17 years in this role and nearly 29 working with the company, I’ve decided it is time for me to move on and try new things. Takeshi and I have been talking about this for a while, and I am excited about what’s next, for me and for Microsoft. I remain optimistic about the company mission, the incredible talent on this team, and how much the company depends on us during this critical time. I’ll be here through the end of the calendar year, and the company is working through next steps, look for an update in the next few weeks. I know you will have many questions, and I’m looking forward to talking to you at our AMA here later this morning <link>

(start burying)

A while back, there was a social media trend where people answered the question, “What topic could you give a 30-minute presentation on with no preparation?” Me, I could talk about the US Marines, the changing nature of influence, sourdough starter, the Oregon Ducks, but my go to would have to be aspects of Stephen King’s the Dark Tower books, starting with “The Gunslinger;” the question then becomes which particular aspect. A quick primer, the series follows Roland Deschain, the last of the gunslingers (a mix between mayor/judge/sheriff), as he chases the man in black through time and dimensions in a quest to save the world. The question embedded throughout is if it is possible for Roland to retain his identity and meaning in a world that had moved on. The refrain is that the world moves on, move with it or fall. Can Roland move and grow, or will he be stuck? One of the concepts that sticks with me comes as we are introduced to more characters, now moving with Roland. He introduces the concept of ‘ka-tet’ to describe them. ‘Ka’ is essentially fate, or destiny, and ‘tet’ translates to a group of people, put together for a larger meaning – a group brought together with a shared mission and destiny, a group with shared goals, the willingness to sacrifice for those goals, with a deep emotional connection to each other and the ability to make and act on decisions with what can feel like supernatural speed.

I’ve always loved the evolution from the solo gun slinger we meet in book one to the team that operates throughout the later books. Roland on his own was formidable but failed in his missions, as part of a ka-tet he was in the end successful.

You, my friends, are my ka-tet. Together, we’ve accomplished amazing things. My gratefulness is endless.

We will have time together still over the next set of months as we finalize decisions and deliver great work on behalf of the company, and I will be close by after. In the Dark Tower, the traditional departure saying is “long days and pleasant nights,” and so it will be, but not until December. 😊

fxs