fun read but i&#x27;m not convinced about the advice. I&#x27;m sure Balmer is a smart guy and lucked out by joining MS as #30 (is it really so unlucky to be #30 at MS?). He was also outspoken, loud, and perhaps had some leadership qualities lacked by other nerds at that moment. 
And now it&#x27;s easy to pick him apart and &quot;be more like Balmer&quot; but I doubt mirroring his annoying personality will get you far.<p><i>Next time you give a presentation, repeat the same key word or phrase at least 5 times. Preferably 10.</i><p>i think Balmer succeeded despite this behavior, not because of it.<p><i>When you sense a gap that’s closing push yourself in with full energy. Love the party, get into it, then make it your own</i><p>the &quot;make it your own&quot; is almost like saying &quot;tell a funny touching story that everyone will love&quot;.<p><i>Imagine you are — or be — the tallest person in the room. (Create situations where you’re standing and they’re sitting?)</i><p>this reminds me of the NLP craze back in the day, i.e. micro behaviors that are subconsciously making you more attractive &#x2F; easy to relate to &#x2F; superior etc. Dubious at best.<p><i></i><i></i>* not to dismiss micro behaviors completely. There are numerous TED talks about body language that present convincing evidence that it works. I think they are especially applicable if you&#x27;re the kind of person that tries to occupy least space and remain un-seen in meetings. For an average person I just think this is a minor tweak, not the big change standing between you and tres commas club.