The 'Softie in question: Anshu Khurana

Job title: Sr. Product Marketing Manager
 
There’s no instruction manual to manage modern family life. Combining parenthood and full-time work means a docket of conflicts and stresses, who-does-the-housework-questions… and joy. For Anshu Khurana, senior product marketing manager in Microsoft advertising, who has two children under the age of 4, the goal of being professional, accomplished, and nurturing is rich and meaningful. Consider this Microspotting post a little “Coffee Tawk” with a successful woman who is keeping all the balls in the air—while keeping it real.

You have two small children and work full-time at Microsoft. What helps you juggle your job and your kids?
First, you are right that it really is a juggling act! For me, I take a moment to prioritize each day and determine what is critical for the week. Then my husband and I determine what we can do for ourselves and what can be outsourced. For instance, only I can be the mother of my kids, that’s non-negotiable. But someone else can help us with the cooking and cleaning. It’s human nature that we want to do everything ourselves, but clearly there is not enough time in the day. It helps for me to set limits and not feel guilty about it. An example is that I might say to myself, “This weekend, there will be absolutely no emails until Sunday night.” Or I will plan to pick up my kids and have family time with my husband at home for the next four hours, unwind and go to bed.
 
Have you learned any lessons from your children that serve you well at work?
Patience. With two kids under age 4, I am now a more patient person. With kids you have to stop, listen, and explain the tiniest of details. You can incorporate that quality into your personality, and it shows at work. Also, being a mom, I am more compassionate and empathetic. So if other folks around me are going through personal stuff and need space, I find that I am more sympathetic.

Does motherhood clash with or complement working at Microsoft?
The culture of Microsoft supports a work-life balance if you want it. If a child is sick, my team will understand that we may have to postpone a meeting. The company gets that people have a life outside work—and values it.
 
At the same time, a working parent has to have a plan. For example, if my daughter is coming down with something, my husband and I anticipate: “What if she wakes up with a fever? Which parent will cancel their meeting and take her to the doctor?”
 
What time-management strategies have worked for you?
I don’t like taking meetings after 4 pm. I use the last two hours of the day to catch up on tasks. Also, I like to wake up and get ready to start working early in the morning so I can get more done.
 
What role does your husband play in the balance?
My husband, Yogesh Sandhuja, works at Microsoft too, in the IT organization. He is very supportive. He is a full partner in caring for the kids; everybody is equally responsible to make sure this works. He is passionate that we get the family time we need. We accommodate each other’s schedules and have a conversation each night to make sure we have a saner morning.
 
What keeps you grounded when things get crazy-busy?
I keep things in perspective and give myself credit. I’m doing my best to be a good mom and a good employee. In the summer, some days, I leave the office at 4 pm, enjoy the sun with my kids, and catch up on my work later in the night. I make time for what’s important, whether it’s a meeting or a commitment to my kids.
 
What do you love about your work at Microsoft?
I love working with teams and achieving common goals. We work with ideas, we create strategies; we build products. That creativity is similar to parenting. Bringing up kids is also a very creative process. When I teach my son something, he builds on it and that shapes his personality. That learning experience influences the kind of person he will be.
 
Family life is chaotic, and you’re keeping a lot of balls in the air. What are you most proud of?
I have a lot of passion for my work. I experienced the life of a full-time mom when I was at home on maternity leave (my daughter was born December 2009, and I came back to work in May 2010). I was grateful to devote that time to family and, at the same time, I was itching to come back.
 
For me, satisfaction comes from winning in life’s different arenas. I am happiest when I’m succeeding at being a good wife, a good friend, and good at work. That’s what keeps me going. And that is where I find the joy in my life.