Last week I had the privilege of attending one of the regular Microsoft Strategy Conferences. This three day classes/working session is meant for senior functional leaders/directors from across the company to get together, learn more about how to form strategy, discuss some of the big challenges facing Microsoft, and make contacts outside of their normal group.

The thing that makes Strategy Conference unique compared to other MS classes is the access to execs. We had half a dozen or so vice-presidents there, some who I interact with regularly like Christopher Payne (Windows Live Search) and others who I'd never met like Jane Boulware (Central Marketing Group). What's more, we got serious quality time with Steve Balmer and Bill Gates - rare for even our execs. It was great to have unstructured, very open conversations with Bill, Steve, and other execs and gave me new insights to the things that are on their minds (and things that they are less concerned about.)

I feel especially fortunate because my breakout group was super. We had attorneys, researcher from Microsoft Research, marketers, business managers, and other product people working well together and having fun. Blair Westlake was the VP assigned to our group; I'd never met him before. It was fascinating to learn about the economics of the TV industry (Blair runs our media partnership efforts and was the Chairman of Universal's TV and Networks group).

Although there were one or two people I met who make me wonder "Really? You're the best your team has to offer?" I was once again impressed with the talent and passion of my peers and leaders. I learned a ton about what's going on in the company, got new perspectives on problems I've been thinking about, and had a lot of fun.

While the three days were pretty packed, I really enjoyed it. I appreciate the fact the company really invests in our employees through training and access. The conference recharged my faith and commitment to Microsoft and gives me more optimism than ever that we have great people leading the company forward.