What was true then and what is true now is that we create technology so others can create more technology.

This is a software-powered world.

You renew yourself every day. Sometimes you're successful, sometimes your not, but it's the average that counts.

Be passionate and bold. Always keep learning. You stop doing useful things if you don't learn.

Finally, I truly believe that each of us must find meaning in our work. The best work happens when you know that it's not just work, but something that will improve other people's lives.

It's not really about asking for the raise but knowing and having faith that the system will actually give you the right raises as you go along. And that, I think, might be one of the additional superpowers that, quite frankly, women who don't ask for raises have. Because that's good karma. It'll come back. Because somebody's going to know: 'That's the kind of person that I want to trust. That's the kind of person that I want to really give more responsibility to.'

Many companies aspire to change the world. But very few have all the elements required: talent, resources and perseverance. Microsoft has proven that it has all three in abundance.