My Second Mountain

There’s a quote I love to share, from the American writer, Mark Twain. He said: “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.”

I found my why early in life, inspired by my family and the community I grew up in. They helped me understand that what was truly important was taking care of the people you love the most and also helping others to flourish. Even when times are tough. Especially when times are tough. This sense of purpose has shaped who I am and is the foundation of everything I do.

But along the way, many other people and places have helped me to find meaning in what I do and how I can have a positive impact in the world.

I was lucky enough to start my working life at the inception of the software industry. I discovered it as I began my very first job at Memsoft, based in my hometown of Nice in the South of France. And then a couple of years later, I met and worked with two exceptional leaders, Bernard Vergnes and the late Michel Lacombe who were the founders and first leaders for Microsoft in France and in Europe. Both these men were incredible role models, showing me what true human leadership could and should be. While I was excited by the potential of software to transform the world, I also learned that technology alone will not change the world for the better. But technology + great people, really does.

For over four decades I’ve had the privilege to be at the beating heart of the tech industry and I’ve seen the power of innovation to drive positive impact when it’s used responsibly. A few weeks ago, I celebrated 40 years at Microsoft. It was a milestone that made me reflect on the incredible changes I have been part of, as technology from the PC, to mobile, the cloud and now AI, has shaped and re-shaped our world. You can read more here about the people who have inspired me and some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

40 years is a long time in one organization. Even one that has changed and grown as much as Microsoft, from a start-up to where we are today, in a very privileged position. One thing I am clear about is that technology, when it’s used responsibly and in the hands of the many, not the few, can drive positive impact at an incredible scale and speed. I am by nature an optimist and even in the face of the challenges we face as a planet, I believe that technology, especially AI, has the power to unleash innovation and the potential to be a great equalizer to make a positive difference to society and the environment.

The writer David Brooks is the author of a book called ‘The Second Mountain’ that’s very meaningful to me. I urge you to read it if you haven’t already. If scaling your first mountain is about progressing in life, including building a career, then your second mountain is what you need to climb once you’ve achieved success (however you define it). And it’s all about being in service to others. There are so many inspiring elements to the book, but one quote really stands out for me: “A life well lived is not measured by the number of achievements, but by the depth of human connection.”

Over the past few years, reflecting and honouring the Iegacy of my late son Gabriel, I have been refining my purpose and my personal mission, which is to connect with, learn from, coach and grow the people and organizations that have a vital desire to make a positive difference in the world.

It’s been wonderful to be able to do this within Microsoft and the other organizations I am a part of.

One of the great joys in my life is to be able to learn every single day and to be inspired by others. There are so many incredible people, organizations and companies out there, making a real difference!

I’ve learned so much working alongside young people through my family’s Foundation, Live for Good , and as Chair of the Board of SKEMA Business School .

I have been amazed and inspired by the positive impact entrepreneurs who are changing the world, supported by Microsoft's Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact , Live for Good and the Tech for Good impact players.

Making education accessible to all is critical to unlocking so much human potential and unleashing transformational change and I see this in the work I do not just with SKEMA but also as President of OpenClassrooms ’s Mission Committee.

Partnering with Corporates like ManpowerGroup , where I sit on the Board and the many communities I’m involved with, to transform the world of work in a human-centered way.

And being inspired and learning from so many positive leaders across the world as my guests in the Positive Leadership Podcast which I’ll continue to record. There are so many more inspirational people I want to talk with. Thanks to all you who listen, for your wonderful feedback on the stories and advice that have been shared so far.

I’m happy it’s helping you to make a difference in the world.

And so, after 40 years at Microsoft, I am leaving the company that I love, to fully focus on my second mountain. This isn’t retirement. I have a mountain to climb! I want to find my true self by learning, inspiring youth and change makers, loving my family every day, caring for my friends, colleagues, people in need and eventually, I want to live for good by positively changing other people’s lives.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to every single one of you who has helped me on my journey up the first mountain and onto the second.  It has been an incredible journey so far, with all of you by my side. I’d like to leave you (for now) with one of my favourite quotes from another author who also means a lot to me, Antoine de Saint-Exupery. He said: “Your task is not to see the future but to enable it.” If we can do everything in our power to create a positive future, then things will change for the better. Let’s keep trying to change things, together.