Chandra Chivukula

If there is one skill which applies universally in life….

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I have been blown away by the AI Notes feature of Microsoft Teams. Meeting notes are very well articulated and all the details are captured under MoM and Action Item sections. Correct owners are tagged in both MoM and Action Item sections. What's amazing is that owners are tagged correctly even if some speakers have not joined from their individual laptops but from a common meeting room. It's not hard to imagine a day when AI will actively participate in our meetings and remind us when someone contradicts themselves from what they said in previous meetings. 😀 #Microsoft #MicrosoftTeams #GenAI #AI

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#15 What Happened to All the Heroes? When my mother talks about her younger years, she recalls a time when astronauts were the ultimate heroes. Names like Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard, John Glenn, and Buzz Aldrin represented bravery, exploration, and the spirit of human achievement. America followed their every step; literally and figuratively, on television, in magazines, and through inspiring stories that transcended generations. But where are the heroes today? Have they shifted to pop artists, sports figures, or Hollywood stars? My parents vividly remember the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated—not just the day, but the exact moment they heard the news. They recall where they were, what they were doing, and the wave of shock that swept the nation. For many, the gravity of that day mirrored what we experienced on 9/11, a moment that stopped time and made people sit in stunned silence as the news unfolded. The same could be said for the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His words, actions, and ultimate sacrifice left an indelible mark on the world. In their own ways, figures like JFK, MLK, Gandhi, Mandela, Jesse Owens, and Rosa Parks inspired generations with their courage, leadership, and dedication to humanity. But who inspires us today? Who are our heroes now? Perhaps they are more commonplace yet equally significant: first responders, nurses, doctors, and teachers; everyday individuals whose heroism is quieter but no less impactful. They may not appear on magazine covers or in primetime broadcasts, but they make a difference where it matters most. Yet, it’s hard to ignore a growing concern: Are we losing the kind of role models our parents had? Are we filling the void with social media influencers and viral sensations? These figures may captivate our kids' attention, but do they truly inspire them to reach for greatness or contribute meaningfully to society? The world still has heroes, but perhaps they are harder to recognize in the noise of modern life. The question is not whether they exist, but whether we are looking in the right places; and whether we’re teaching the next generation to seek and celebrate the values that make someone truly heroic. #InspirationMatters #ModernHeroes #RoleModelsForGenerations

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When I started my career back in the mid-1990s - what my daughter now affectionately refers to as the "olden days" - I always aspired to reach the "next level" and be in the rooms where the "real decisions" were made. Over the past three decades, I've achieved several promotions and reached those coveted higher-level positions. However, I've realized that there isn't a single, definitive place where all the important decisions happen. This realization was reinforced when I watched a video of former President Barack Obama explaining his own experience. Even when he finally got a seat at the table - whether at Harvard, in the Senate, or at the world leadership level - Obama said he was "a bit disappointed by the company because they ain't all that." Obama's perspective solidified a belief I've held for some time: Rather than fixating on obtaining a seat at the table, the true path to influence is to focus on continuously building yourself. Here's what that means to me: 1. Become competent at the core requirements of your role. Know "what" needs to be done and "how" to accomplish it. 2. Develop deep expertise in understanding the "why" behind your job responsibilities. Comprehending the larger context and rationale is key. But remember, knowing how to build an order processing system is less important than knowing why we build order processing systems in the way we do. 3. Cultivate your own luck by ensuring you're always prepared when opportunities arise. Luck is often a matter of being in the right place at the right time - but you have to put yourself in position to capitalize on those chances. By following this approach of ongoing self-improvement and strategic positioning, you'll find yourself increasingly involved in the discussions and decisions that truly matter, whether as a direct participant or as someone who helps shape the dialogue. The "real decisions" aren't made in a single, isolated room - they emerge from a complex, interconnected web. Stay focused on building yourself, and you'll be at the center of that web. Think about the core responsibilities of your current role. Identify one area where you could develop deeper expertise in understanding the "why" behind what you do. Commit to learning more about the bigger-picture rationale. Look around at the people in your network who you perceive as "lucky" - chances are, they've simply put themselves in position to capitalize on opportunities. Reflect on how you can cultivate your own luck through preparation and strategic thinking. This focused approach to self-improvement will put you in the best position to influence the discussions and decisions that truly matter, regardless of where they're happening.

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If you want to train a monkey to stand on a stool and recite Shakespeare, you should start by training the monkey, not building the stool. That is obvious, and yet it is so tempting to build the stool that you know how to build, and you know you will need eventually.

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Among the predictions for work in 2025, human-centered leadership is one that shines through. This year, we can expect automation to be the norm, so human connection will have to be much more intentional. Skills like communication, empathy, relationship-building, self-awareness, and inclusivity will become more valuable. This year, focus on being human-centric AND tech-forward. How are you planning ahead? #Leadership #Empathy #HumanCentric

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Completely agree with this. If your Tech team is doing work that’s measurable, chances are the work they’re doing is easy work and not as valuable.

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Why would anyone toast a slice of sourdough bread, put a bunch of Amul butter on it, and add black olives (my favorite) for dinner? Being an avid experimentalist, especially in cooking and tech, I indulge in many experiments that permeate through various aspects of my life. Experiments enable us to break barriers and drive innovation, especially in areas where impacting human lives matters—not just following what others say must be cooked in a certain way. There are many such examples, as I love to experiment almost every day, but tonight's experiment had me thinking about a simple toasted bread with olives on top. It was a simple idea, but then I thought, why stop there and not add more ingredients? I was gracious to my learnings, though, realizing that not everything has to be part of every recipe. But is it true that what I did was creative enough? Maybe if I had been more open in my thoughts that day, I could have even added sweet pepper to my simple toasted bread... Cooking teaches me every time that it's us who are cooking with our own final product of a dish and there is no bigger power than that. I love the guidance and help from everywhere, but my cooking is my own. I don't need to say more—whether it's the technical landscape or managing and developing diverse teams, the same principle applies.

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Just finished reading "Dare To Lead" by Brené Brown. It's the first book I've read by her and it was great! Felt like an EQ master class. There's a lot of overlap between her ideas and Patrick Lencioni's, I think. I'd say Lencioni focuses more on 'what' is needed to drive org health--the behaviors, the metrics, the feedback loops, the meeting structures, while Brown focuses more on the 'how' of leading people, aka balls of emotion, through the moment-to-moment messiness to get a little bit healthier with each interaction. #teamwork

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🌟Standing Firm on the Solid Ground of Trust — A Woman’s Perspective in Tech Leadership🌟 As a woman in tech leadership, I've navigated my fair share of challenges and triumphs. But one constant that has guided me through this journey is the Leadership Law of Solid Ground, which emphasizes the fundamental importance of trust and integrity in leadership. 🧱Building Trust Through Transparency: In the tech world, where innovation moves rapidly and decisions can have far-reaching implications, transparency is not just a policy—it's a practice. It means being open about processes, successes, and failures. By embracing transparency, I've found that teams feel more empowered, involved, and secure—reaffirming that their leader is someone who values honesty and open communication. Maintaining Integrity Amidst Pressure: Tech often demands quick decisions and actions. Amidst this pressure, the temptation to cut corners can be high. However, maintaining integrity means standing firm on your values, even when it’s challenging. This commitment not only sets a standard for your team but also builds a resilient foundation that can weather any storm. 🪔The Role of Vulnerability: Leadership involves strength, but it also requires vulnerability. Admitting when you don't have all the answers or acknowledging your mistakes are powerful ways to demonstrate to your team that you are human and approachable. This vulnerability helps in building a deeper trust and encourages a culture where learning from errors is seen as a stepping stone to greatness. Empowering Others: Trust is a two-way street. By trusting my team's expertise and decisions, I empower them, which in turn strengthens their trust in my leadership. This mutual trust enhances our collaboration and creativity, crucial for innovation in tech. 🎬Conclusion: To my fellow leaders, remember that our position is as much a privilege as it is a responsibility. Trust is the solid ground upon which effective leadership is built, and once it is established, it allows not just for individual success, but for collective achievement. I’d love to hear how the Law of Solid Ground has impacted your leadership journey. Please share your experiences and let’s continue to support each other in our paths to effective leadership. #lawofsolidground #servantleadership #womenoftech

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True success lies in the dedication to continuous growth and learning. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a testament to our resilience. #Success #GrowthMindset #StepForward #PersonalDevelopment

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Did you know that only 7.9% of people share my writing personality? Check it out: My 2024 writing personality from Grammarly.

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From Astrologer's Whispers to Real Connections: Reclaiming Belonging in a Lonely Age Have you ever consulted an astrologer, their predictions swirling in your head, only to feel empty when your day takes a different turn? The emptiness might not be about the details themselves, but about seeking outside approval for your happiness. This same feeling can creep in even when you achieve success. Remember climbing the career ladder, landing that dream apartment, only to find yourself lost in a quiet emptiness? In India's bustling cities, it's a familiar, painful emotion. We're surrounded by people, yet there's a little loneliness at the edges of our lives. Thinking back to Mrs. Deshmukh, your friendly neighbour with the legendary Til Gur Barfi's, who brought the whole neighbourhood together with tea and friendly chats. Those evenings of shared stories and laughter, a web woven by simple human connection, feel like a distant memory in our super-connected yet broken world. We chase success with thumbs glued to screens, building online bridges that leave us feeling more alone than ever. The pressure to create a perfect online self-drowns out the whispers of our own desires. But here's the real deal, that shiny designation and fancy car can't fill the hole left by genuine connection. There's hope, though! We can rewrite this story. Let's ditch the small talk and chase deeper connections. Share your fears and worries, break free from feeling isolated in this sea of ambition. Remember the warmth of family gatherings, the joy of shared childhood games? Revive those small traditions. Pick up the phone for a real heart-to-heart conversation rather than What's Apping. Every act of connection, no matter how ordinary, how small, builds a more satisfying life. Imagine hearing back from an old friend, reliving an old laugh, and being surrounded by people who truly see us, where we belong. Isn't that what life is all about? Together, one conversation, one meal, and one act of kindness at a time, we can tear down the walls of loneliness. We can rewrite the narrative of modern society, where connection becomes the foundation of a life well lived. It's not too late, or is it? #HumanConnections #BelongingMatters #OvercomeLoneliness #RealConversations #MeaningfulRelationships #CommunityOverConnectivity #AuthenticLiving #SocialWellbeing #RedefiningSuccess #TraditionsRewoven #FightIsolation #VulnerableAndReal #KindnessRevolution #SmallActsBigImpact #ReconnectingHumanity #IndianSociety #UrbanLoneliness #DigitalDetox #QualityOverQuantity #ConnectionCures Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

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We're not always collaborating when we think we are. This is interesting approach to the scale/model which describes three levels between which each collaboration moves. https://lnkd.in/dWPjfSsX

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Today, as I stand at the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Seattle for the first time, I am overwhelmed with a sense of awe and gratitude. It feels like being a kid in a candy store, surrounded by endless possibilities and dreams realized. This moment is the culmination of an 18-year journey, a dream that began when I graduated from a rural college in South of India with big aspirations. Coming from a traditional background where women are often not encouraged to aim high, I had very few role models to look up to in the family. Yet, I dared to dream, fueled by the hard work and sacrifices of my parents, the unwavering support of my husband, and the inspiration from my beloved daughter. Their belief in me has been my rock through the highs and lows. Navigating biases and judgmental attitudes as a woman of color, as a woman in technology, & as a working mother has been challenging. However, I am grateful for the journey so far, learning and growing through each experience. By taking on more challenging opportunities, I’ve been able to learn and develop, despite the obstacles along the way. Thanks to amazing and incredible people (my mentors and friends) who have been a part of this journey. As I participate in this global hackathon, there is so much more to learn, to give back, and to grow. This experience humbles me and reminds me of the importance of staying grounded and appreciative. Here’s to continuing to dream, aspire, and achieve. Signing off with my fav quote : “Look at the sky. Remind yourself about the cosmos. Seek vastness at the every opportunity, inorder to see the smallness of yourself.” #grattitude #globalhackathon2024 #Microsoftlife

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Come join me to talk about one of my favorite topics, change management, the people side of change

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To scale AI, you need more than technology—you need a plan. At Celosphere 2024, leaders from BMW, IBM Consulting, and a global packaging company revealed how they’ve turned AI potential into tangible business value. Find their takeaways here: https://celon.is/3VNVSpI

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A few years ago, I folded my laundry and realized I had run out of hangers while putting my clothes back in the closet. So, I bought more hangers. A year later, it was déjà vu — I was putting away clothes and ran out of hangers again. That’s when I realized I was solving the wrong problem. I was over-consuming and buying things I didn’t need. Here are three personal strategies I use for mindful consumption and improve my happiness. https://lnkd.in/ghwyx7Uy

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Lessons I've learned about empowerment. It's all about providing the right supporting structure, autonomy and culture. https://lnkd.in/gEfTtpcA

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