Why Ballmer stepped down

[Reflexx]

Microsoft?€™s Nadella Manages Legacy of Ballmer-Board Split - Businessweek

Very interesting article.

Some tidbits...

• Ballmer wanted Nokia's mapping division also, but the board (including Gates) was against it.
• One of the reasons that Ballmer stepped down is that he didn't feel like he had support from Bill Gates when it came to acquiring Nokia. It hurt him deeply and he didn't feel like he could continue as CEO without that support.
• Alan Mulally was the favorite to be the new CEO, and was being groomed for it, but he didn't want to have to go through the formal interview process so the board decided against him. They were concerned that he was being too arrogant.
• Bill Gates is not a fan of the idea of Microsoft making hardware.
• Nadella was originally against the idea of acquiring Nokia, but later changed his mind and is now a full supporter of the idea of competing in mobile.

 

[Jazmac]

Tough when you don't get support from those closest to you, like Gates. Has anyone heard Gates say he didn't want to be in the hardware business?

 

[Laura Knotek]

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[sahib lopez]

thanks for the find . that was a good read

 

[rdubmu]

thanks for sharing

 

[dkediger]

Yes, thanks for sharing. Telling as to the footprint Gates still carries - even though he's on a trajectory to divest his ownership and be a "regular" board member.

 

[Reflexx]

Yes, thanks for sharing. Telling as to the footprint Gates still carries - even though he's on a trajectory to divest his ownership and be a "regular" board member.

He's always going to have a special mystique around him.

For Ballmer though, I think they're was
a feeling of personal betrayal. He's an emotional guy, and he's been through everything with Gates since the beginning. Having Gates not have his back probably shook his confidence as a leader to the point where he felt he couldn't do it anymore.

I was disappointed to tread that Gates didn't want MS in hardware. He's not a fan of XBOX either. Not that he dislikes then at all... but he would like MS to stay a software company. I guess "devices and services" veered off too far from what he originally created.