Myriam Broeders

Blindness, by José Saramago, is the best book because it is a thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to confront their own beliefs about human nature and the world we live in.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill.

Putting together jigsaw puzzles.

My passion for people.

Social entrepreneurship. In fact, I am already starting a second career as I recently joined the Belgian army as a reservist in the Cyber Command, while continuing my job at Microsoft.

Travel: learn about other cultures, see the wonders of nature, and enjoy intense experiences.

My passion for empowering people and organizations to achieve more motivates me to do my best work. I am passionate about technology and its ability to create new possibilities and outcomes. This drives me to guide teams, organizations, and customers on their transformation journeys.

My family helps me maintain a healthy work-life balance. They provide valuable perspectives and often serve as a sounding board in difficult situations. Above all, they are the joy of my life and give me the energy to go above and beyond!

The biggest obstacles to career growth in our industry are the rapid changes in technology. Organizations need to embrace resilience and adaptability. They should look beyond track records and instead focus on diversity, intrinsic attributes, and the ability to learn.

The biggest obstacle I faced in the technology industry was the pervasive notion that 'It's a man's world.' This has been both an advantage and a drawback. On one hand, I brought diverse perspectives, which led to better results. On the other hand, there was limited equity and equal opportunity. As an ambitious woman with a family, being a mom of three sons, my situation was often perceived as exceptional and extraordinary.

I have been noticed throughout my career for my ability to drive change through visionary leadership, with an amazing drive and energy, a can-do and 'roll-up-your-sleeves' mentality. I am known for being empathetic on both professional and interpersonal levels and for excelling in hiring the right profiles and developing people.

The major accelerators for success in our field are continuous learning, networking, creativity, and adaptability.

The question I get asked most often in my line of work is, 'How can technology address my business challenges?' We need to shift our focus from simply selling solutions to solving the actual challenges.

What I enjoy most about my job is its diversity. I address company business challenges with technology and provide leadership and guidance to people, teams, and organizations. I love the variety and the opportunity it gives me to have a positive impact.

My most important role model in life is my mother. From her, I learned to always look for opportunities instead of being hindered by setbacks. Meeting new people from diverse backgrounds also provides me with valuable perspectives and insights. I consider this a gift and a form of continuous mentoring.

Do what you love, love what you do.

A customer had an issue, and I confirmed that I would come back as soon as possible with a solution. It turned out to be a rare bug that was unlikely to be fixed soon. Now, when a customer reports an issue, I first listen and try to understand the impact. Then, I inform them that I will have the teams look into it and that I will come back with our findings.

As Chief Technology Officer and Director of our Microsoft Technology Center, customer experience is of utmost importance. We actively solicit customer feedback. Listening to customers to understand their challenges is the cornerstone of being customer-centric at every step of the journey.

Strategic thinking, coaching, and adaptability have been the most helpful supporting skills for me as a leader.

I have gained commitment from my team by involving them in strategic planning and key decisions, giving them space to experiment, and setting goals together. I let them build the roadmaps and execute them while providing continuous guidance and support. Additionally, I show genuine interest in what drives them and in their career growth.

I was mainly attracted to the field of technology for two reasons: First, how data 'handling' could provide insights and lead to better decisions. Second, how technology improves people's lives. When I was a child, my grandmother explained how she used to wash clothes by hand and how much her first mechanical washing machine improved her quality of life. I was quite impressed at the time!

Initially, after graduation, I applied for roles in HR. I studied applied economic sciences and was active in a student association for four years, with my last year focused on HR. I thought that would be my career path. However, when applying for HR roles, I received feedback that I did not have the right qualifications. One day, I applied for a role at a fintech startup and got hired. Soon, I was immersed in tech, and it became a true passion!

At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. We offer a vast range of cloud technologies, including solutions for enterprise productivity, business applications, security, data and AI, as well as gaming and search capabilities.

Technology is an enabler that addresses challenges, creating possibilities and new outcomes.

Tech news hasn't been this exciting and transformational in a long time. Co-pilots in our Microsoft solutions are game changers for how we will work moving forward, and our AI capabilities are becoming more democratized and humanized than ever. I believe co-pilots will not only make us more efficient and effective but will also positively impact our well-being, as we enter a new era where co-pilots become true companions.

In my opinion, electricity is the greatest technological invention because it revolutionized the way we live and work, enabling the development of new technologies and industries.

Technology can definitely do good for society. For example, the World Economic Forum states that 'digital solutions can reduce global emissions by up to 20%.' There is no planet B. If we want to keep our planet healthy and enjoyable to live on, we must address climate change!

I keep my technology skills up to date by staying informed through experts. I follow trends from key consultancy firms, Microsoft, and competitors. Additionally, I listen to our customers and partners to understand their needs and how they see the market evolving.

LinkedIn and LinkedIn Sales Navigator are key tools for me to get a first impression of my key stakeholders, stay in touch, and stay informed about changes in their environments. I also use Microsoft's Business Applications tools like D365 for customer engagement to ensure effective and efficient partnerships and journeys together. In my day-to-day work, all the features of M365, including Teams and the VIVA suite, are essential for getting my job done.

Some of my favorite websites are www.linkedin.com to stay up to date and connect with other professionals, www.mckinsey.com to be informed about trends in industries and technology, www.weforum.org to learn about the bigger picture in the world, and learn.microsoft.com for tech updates at Microsoft.

My favorite technology product is my smartphone because it allows me to connect with people, access information, and gain knowledge. It also serves as a tool in my work-life balance, helping me map out bicycle routes or find amazing restaurants. My least favorite tech product is my home printer, as it is absolutely not intuitive, with confusing green, orange, and red lights, cryptic error messages, and a very hard-to-understand manual.

A combination of genetics, environment, life experiences, individual choices, perception, and brain functioning contributes to making each human unique.

One should always be able to look in the mirror. I highly value integrity and trust. In my opinion, there cannot be success if something is achieved in an unethical way.

A healthy body supports a healthy mind. Being in good health and maintaining a good work-life balance helps foster critical and creative thinking, constructive collaboration, and effective decision-making.