Managers are at the heart of Microsoft’s culture and employee experience, yet many were stepping into their roles without the support they needed to succeed. To address this, Microsoft launched Manager Essentials—a program designed to accelerate new managers’ impact with clear expectations, practical tools, and a sense of community.
I led the creative development of an internal awareness campaign to bring this program to life. Inspired by the “power of essentials,” principles in the program, we crafted bold illustrations of famous characters missing what makes them whole—highlighting that just like them, managers need their essentials to lead with confidence. These illustrations were intended to engage managers across digital screens, emails, learning platforms, and environmental touchpoints.
The campaign would help managers feel valued, prepared, and empowered—transforming what could feel like an overwhelming transition into a confident step forward as leaders within Microsoft.