On Anxiety
Anxiety is a funny thing. It can catch you at the strangest moments – even when positivity and excitement is all around.
This week in the Microsoft office, a parallel organisation was having their FY25 kickoff. Seeing many familiar faces, I had the chance to reconnect with people who had previously been in or around my team. I was filled with a sense of pride and nostalgia in all of their achievements, and for the time we had spent together.
Today, I stumbled upon a photo with many of those same faces taken in 2019, at the first in-person kick off for the team. As soon as I saw the photo, I was catapulted back to the event – and felt that same anxiety, dread, and fear I had in 2019.
How could I make a difference to these people?
Five years ago, with a newly created team brought together for the first time, there was imperative need: to create a shared sense of purpose and belonging, drive a culture of technical excellence, and establish camaraderie between people from completely different backgrounds and experiences.
Today, as I sit with the feeling of anxiety, I am reminded of the happiness and enthusiasm I’d seen this week. Reminded of people who had built their careers, grown in directions they never expected, and who had achieved incredible things. Reminded of how at the time the fear and anxiety so quickly dissolved when I saw people step up and become incredible leaders as the days unfolded.
After sitting with this feeling, three items are constant.
Contributing to, and building upon others
The idea of the “one of a kind rockstar” is exciting but seldom sustainable. Individual strengths contributing to a team always yield greater results. The best “rockstars” are those who can influence and support others while learning from them too.
Short and long term learning
We so often get stuck on succeeding in our current role or trying to build skills for a far off position, that we neglect to balance the two. Being deliberate about what you need to do now to give the best impact while still using the space to learn skills for the next role is a powerful formula. If you’re happy in your role, start learning for the next one now. If you leave it too late, it becomes much harder to devote the needed energy to growth.
Change as an opportunity
Microsoft is known for iteration of the field operating model and its structure when needed. Experiencing this, what I initially feared became an obvious strength. We are bold in adapting our model to always support customers and partners in the best way, and doing so creates opportunities individuals to thrive and lead in ways which hadn’t been possible before. It can be uncomfortable and challenging in the moment, but has been worth it for all the times I’ve seen a customer or partner delighted in a new manner.
Reflecting on the feeling of anxiety, I’m reminded there are many paths to grow and develop impact. I’d love to hear which resonate with you the most.
