In this episodeBen Francis shares his journey from a military background to a successful career in various corporate roles, including significant time at Microsoft. He discusses the importance of purpose, culture, and personal growth in his career, as well as the challenges and opportunities he faced along the way. Ben emphasizes the value of mentorship, the impact of his experiences in different cultures, and the lessons learned from both his highs and lows in the professional world. He reflects on his current role in Papua New Guinea and his aspirations for the future, highlighting the importance of backing oneself and embracing challenges.Links and locations of the podcast Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0zu1gsYgd0rmXCXNwXTRWIAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c73deb7-75af-44fa-ae40-70506949bdccApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sympa-says/id1809071990Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/vh/6572789Goodpodshttps://goodpods.com/podcasts/sympa-says-681171iHeartRadiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sympa-says-272967966/OvercastPocket Castshttps://pca.st/67eufjizChapters00:00 Career Beginnings and Influences02:51 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life06:10 Navigating Corporate Roles and Leadership08:50 Exploring Opportunities at Microsoft11:47 Cultural Insights and International Experience14:57 Finding Purpose and Career Breaks17:46 Current Role and Future Aspirations21:00 Values and Life Lessons24:05 Career Highlights and AdviceFollow Ben https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfrancis/career paths, military transition, leadership, Microsoft, purpose, personal growth, international experience, career advice, organizational culture, life lessons