Let’s dive into a story about Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, highlighting his leadership style, humanity, and humor in a way that new leaders can relate to and learn from.

Here’s the story:

Introduction: Leading with Heart in a Tech-Driven World

When Satya Nadella became the CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was struggling with stagnation and a loss of its innovative edge. Yet, under his leadership, Microsoft transformed into one of the most valuable companies in the world. How did he do it? Not through sheer technical brilliance (though he has that too), but by embracing empathy, cultivating a growth mindset, and leading with a human touch.

For new managers, Nadella’s journey offers a roadmap to navigate the challenges of leadership in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving landscape. And yes, there’s room for humor because even at Microsoft, not every update rolls out perfectly. (looking at you, Windows Vista.)

The Story: How Satya Nadella Cultivates Success

Lesson 1: Listen Before You Lead

When Nadella took over, Microsoft’s culture was competitive and siloed. Employees were focused on beating each other rather than collaborating. Nadella’s first step? Listening. He spent countless hours talking to employees, customers, and stakeholders, not to point fingers but to understand the challenges they faced. One Microsoft veteran recalled Nadella saying, “Tell me your truth. I want to learn.” This willingness to listen transformed Microsoft’s culture from one of “know-it-alls” to “learn-it-alls.”

Takeaway: As a new manager, don’t come in with all the answers. Spend time understanding your team and their challenges. Listening builds trust and sets the stage for meaningful change.

Lesson 2: Lead with Empathy

One of Nadella’s defining traits is his empathy, shaped by his personal life. His son Zain was born with cerebral palsy, a life-altering experience that taught Nadella the importance of seeing the world through others’ eyes. This empathy influenced his leadership style, from introducing accessible technology to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Nadella once joked, “People think AI is the next big thing, but for me, it’s been EI – emotional intelligence – that’s changed the game.”

Takeaway: Empathy isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a leadership superpower. Understand your team’s needs, and they’ll go above and beyond for you.

Lesson 3: Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Nadella introduced the concept of a growth mindset at Microsoft, inspired by psychologist Carol Dweck. He encouraged employees to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn. When a new feature rollout didn’t go as planned, Nadella reportedly laughed and said, “Well, at least we know what not to do next time.”

His message was clear: mistakes aren’t the end, they’re stepping stones to innovation.

Takeaway: Create a safe environment where your team can take risks and grow. Celebrate learning as much as success.

Lesson 4: Focus on Purpose Over Products

Under Nadella, Microsoft shifted its focus from selling products to creating solutions that empower people. He championed the company’s mission to “empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.” This clarity of purpose not only inspired employees but also reconnected customers to Microsoft’s value.

In one meeting, when asked why he pushed cloud services so heavily, Nadella quipped, “Because clouds don’t crash, unlike my Windows 95 back in the day.”

Takeaway: Align your team around a clear purpose. When people understand the “why,” they’ll work harder on the “how.”