The Xbox saga – from garage-shop inception, through numerous crises and challenges, to ultimate business success – is a many faceted tale with several captivating story lines. Speaking from the viewpoint of the Chief Xbox Officer, Robbie tells the story of a strategic process that brought together a disparate group of talented individuals into a powerful team that applied Intrapreneurship principles to build a successful consumer business within the larger Microsoft structure.

Based on his first book, Xbox Revisited: A Game Plan for Corporate and Civic Renewal and many of his blog posts, this speech explores the development of a strategic process that enables all of us to be “civic engineers.” He explains how business principles can be used to influence, shape, and change the course of our local, state, and federal organizations in a more positive direction. Robbie’s approach is neither Democratic nor Republican; instead it takes a common sense view of what is in the best interests of our citizens and paints a picture that is independent of most orthodoxy and doctrine.

Robbie has been in leadership positions his entire life, including in sports, business, and charitable organizations. He understands the opportunities, challenges, and loneliness of being the final decision-maker on issues large and small, and speaks about both successes and failures in directing teams. Based on personal and historical examples, he has developed a set of principles that help leaders gain the respect and support of their teams, make better decisions, and improve the health of the organization.

Formed during his experiences at Microsoft and his on-going board work with corporate and non-profit organizations, Robbie has developed the 3P Framework which he applies to problems in business, government, and personal life. In this speech, he explores the framework, provides relevant stories and applications, and describes how any leader or business can use this process to plan for success. He demonstrates how focusing on Purpose, Principles, and Priorities provides a simple, yet effective rubric to attack even the most complex problems.

Robbie has developed core beliefs that have sustained him through the ups and downs of his personal and professional career. In this talk, he speaks openly about lessons he has learned as an employee, leader, friend, husband, and father. Delving into areas that are deeply personal, and often emotional, he discusses his frequent insecurities, biggest failings, and most challenging family issues. He provides an intimate view of the struggles and triumphs of a chief executive growing into his job in the midst of difficult fire – from “friends” and competitors alike – during the creation of Xbox.