Hello everyone — This week’s Leading with Respect conversation was one I’ll remember for a long time. My guest, Irada, is not only a fellow Microsoft alum but also a true thought leader in organizational development, blending technical depth and cultural wisdom.

Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Irada began her career in academia before transitioning into corporate life. Over the past 20 years — including two impactful decades at Microsoft — she has worked across engineering systems and cultural activation, helping shape the company’s transformation under Satya Nadella’s leadership.

From the very start of our conversation, Irada reframed respect as something far deeper than politeness or professional courtesy.

She said something that struck me immediately: “There are 8 billion people on this planet — and 8 billion archetypes.” That insight beautifully captures the first dimension of The RESPECT Quotient™ — Recognize.

To lead with respect, we must first recognize that every person sees the world through their own lens — shaped by culture, values, and lived experience. Diversity isn’t just about demographics; it’s about the infinite uniqueness of being human.