Source Code

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“Writing also makes you process memories in a different way. You have one idea and then remember another. It’s like each one is a cow in a field, and you have to round them all up.” – Michael J. Fox

The other day I mentioned to a friend that I was reading Bill Gates’ latest book Source Code. He responded with something along the lines of, “Oh, right, that book. He’s trying to reform his image.”

Living in Seattle, it’s hard not to have an opinion about Bill Gates. So many of my close friends work for or have worked for Microsoft or the Gates Foundation. I spent many years working at Microsoft as a consultant. We feel like we know him because we’ve crossed paths with him in so many ways. We’ve lived in the same neighborhoods Bill grew up in, hiked the same trails, and/or went to the same schools.

From my perspective, Bill changed how engineers like me were compensated. He’s 14 years older than me. By the time I graduated from the University of Washington with my electrical engineering degree, I benefitted from the ripple effect of the Microsoft practice of giving stock options to everyone in the company. No longer were just senior management and sales people compensated for growth, but the technical people were as well. It raised the bar for paying everyone in the region.

He also led a company whose culture allowed for, and possibly grew, egotistical bullies as long as they were smart. Other business ventures he’s been involved with have pushed their weight around in less flattering ways too.  

So the ripple effects from Bill Gates are felt strongly here. Some positive and others less so.

Source Code only covers his first 20 years. Is he trying to polish up his image? Possibly. My writer and reader heart likes his book for the digging deep to understand where his story started. It seems like an honest effort.

(featured photo from Pexels)

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon

I host the How to Share podcast, a podcast about how to share anything – to the appropriate audience, with the right permissions, at the most opportune time.

I also co-host the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, an author, creator and storytelling podcast with the amazing Vicki Atkinson.

59 thoughts on “Source Code”

  1. I agree with your friend about Source Code. Bill Gates isn’t squeaky clean and getting older so he’s trying to rationalize his behavior to the world— and himself. The book may be interesting but is it fact or fiction? 😉

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  2. Interesting point about Gates and his possible motivation behind his book. My first reaction is that people are messy. While Gates has negative stories about him, the Gates Foundation has done a lot of good around the world. On another note, that’s a great quote from Michael J. Fox! 🌞

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  4. I seem to have conversations on this topic fairly often with my daughter. Her tendency is to dismiss the positive because there is also negative, which I think is unfortunate. At the end of the day, most of us are going to end up with mixed reviews as humans.

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  5. I didn’t know you were reading this…and I suspect you’ll have a unique take on it, based on who you are, what you value and your professional expertise. Being in that arena. Can’t wait to hear your final thoughts when you finish! 😉

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  6. I hadn’t heard of this book. Thanks for pointing me to it, Wynne. The toxicity and bullying that emerged from the new tech sector was/is so sad. It could have been so different if the leadership had paid attention to reining in egos. Or does that necessarily go hand in hand with personal enrichment? I’d better get myself a copy of his book! And maybe that of his ex-wife!

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  7. Great post! It’s so interesting to hear about the ripple effects of Bill Gates’ influence, especially from someone who’s had such close ties to Microsoft. I’ve been diving into some personal projects lately and working with estate planning lawyers has me thinking a lot about the foundations we set and the legacies we leave behind. Makes me appreciate how much impact one person’s decisions can have on so many others, both good and bad! Definitely adding Source Code to my reading list.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh Jeanie – your comment is so interesting. Especially, “the foundations we set and the legacies we leave behind.” Exactly!! I hope you enjoy Source Code – it’s exactly in that vein!

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  8. When I was a child, it was Boeing who influenced our area. Then Bill Gates. Both in great and not so great ways. One of my close friends went to a Microsoft Christmas party with a friend who worked there. The next day, she got a phone call from Bill Gates, who she had talked with at the party. He asked her out to brunch and she said no. She had never heard of him! It was before Melinda, when people knew he was looking for a wife. My friend thought he was a nerd.

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    1. Wow – what a story! She was right on – he was a nerd!! And you are so spot on about Boeing and then Microsoft. They were they giants in this area for so long!

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      1. Isn’t that a funny story? After she found out he was a billionaire, she tried to get ahold of him and wanted to go to brunch. He didn’t take her calls. Her first instinct was probably correct! Boeing and Microsoft, part of the history of our area — besides grunge, Starbucks and Nordstrom. So much started in Washington.

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      2. That’s funny about her trying to call him back. Grunge, Starbucks and Nordstrom — I’m glad you mentioned those because I hadn’t thought of them. And REI!

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  9. An honest effort is no small thing these days. You have given him high praise, Wynne. Thank you for your reliably honest assessment.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Your comment at the end is interesting, Wynne, and it aligns with a book review I read in The Economist. They compared Bill and Melinda’s latest books and came to the same conclusion—that his represents an honest effort. Setting aside what he did to Melinda, which I certainly don’t condone, I do think he’s trying to reflect on his life and how he achieved so much.

    It’s a trilogy, so we’ll see. I want to read both his book and Melinda’s because I’m genuinely interested in learning more about them. As long as he’s not trying to teach me moral ethics, I’m definitely okay with hearing what he has to say.

    I feel the same way about General David Petraeus, who did something similar. In my opinion, men like Bill Gates, General Petraeus, and others who made similar mistakes were often driven by an obsession with work and achieving greatness—at the expense of their families. When a person spends more time at the office than at home, they open the door to disaster.

    Sorry I went a little off script, but your post was great and really made me think, my friend. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You didn’t go off script at all, Edward. I agree with you on all points! Definitely driven by obsession and the realization of the consequences don’t show up until later — if at all.

      I want to read Melinda’s book as well. Love what you say that he’s trying to reflect on his life and think there’s merit in that for anyone willing to try!

      Thanks for the great comment, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. “He also led a company whose culture allowed for, and possibly grew, egotistical bullies as long as they were smart.” Honestly, Wynne, I think that’s the case for most large corporations. I had lunch with a couple of former co-workers today and it reinforced my decision to retire was a good one. I don’t miss the politics one bit!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t disagree with you that the culture wasn’t limited to Microsoft. So glad that you got affirmation on your decision. Isn’t that nice? Thanks for the great comment, Michelle!

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  14. It’s not like I know the man well, but I didn’t know that Bill Gates had an image to reform. The few times I’ve heard him speak, he seems well-spoken and someone who doesn’t have a big ego.

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    1. He is pretty soft spoken but is quite used to being the smartest person in the room or at least believing he is. I think the image reform comes from the end of his marriage and some of the less than stellar ways he behaved to cause that.

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  16. I didn’t know this book existed! I’ve read both flattering and less flattering things about him over the years. It’s hard not to imagine the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I do feel he’s done a lot of good in this world, including his more recent work with the Gates Foundatjon. And I can also see that part of his work now is also part of securing a good legacy for himself. I’ll have to pick up the book too!

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    1. I agree with you, Ab. He has done a lot of good. And is pretty determined to give most of his money away which I think is admirable. It’s a pretty interesting read!

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  17. I wrote a piece of flash fiction this morning and resurrected another from the archives which too uses the Michael J Fox method and I will share it with our Writers Group which meets this Thursday for their comments ; thanks Wynne 🙂

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  18. Pingback: Source Code – BWS MUSIC BLOG

  19. The book sounds interesting, Wynne, but I also wasn’t aware of his image needing to be reformed. I admire him for his brilliance and for what his foundation has done. But I don’t pay attention to any of the personal details. And I love the quote by Michael J. Fox, but he’s always been a favorite. It’ll be fun to read your thoughts on the book based on your professional experience. Thanks for sharing! 💕

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    1. Thanks for the great comment, Lauren. I think his divorce revealed some less than stellar behavior that contributed to the end of his marriage. I love the Michael J. Fox quote too. Isn’t it true?!

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  20. Sounds like an interesting book. I think these days most have different opinions on people like Bill Gates. Personally, I try to stay objective because all humans have good and bad aspects to them. The bad doesn’t erase the good and vice versa.

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  21. I’m sure it is interesting, especially for someone with your background and connection to the industry. yes, he’s had his share of bad choices, but he has also done some major good in the world. I recently took on a lot of respect for him when he spoke about how he is planning to give away all of his money to help others in the world, and how he is going to use it, especially to help save children’s lives, as opposed to another billionaire who is currently using his wealth in a way that is very likely ending children’s lives. the contrast is stunning. people of wealth and power have a responsibility to help others in my opinion.

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    1. You are so right about that responsibility to help others. He makes a comment in the book that his mom really taught him that responsibility — and he wishes she had lived long enough to see him make good on that! I agree – he deserves a lot of respect for that!

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