How did the shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset impact Microsoft's business model?

The shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset had a significant impact on Microsoft's business model. Under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft moved away from a culture that valued knowing things to one that emphasized learning and openness to information. This cultural shift was accompanied by changes in business practices. For instance, Microsoft started valuing the usage of their products by customers over the number of units sold. This change in metrics encouraged innovation and risk-taking, as seen in projects like the AI-powered chatbot. Even when such projects failed, Nadella provided support and encouraged the team to continue taking risks. This shift in mindset and business practices helped Microsoft to leverage the Cloud and AI inflections, leading to a successful turnaround.

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When Satya Nadella took over as the CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was infamous for its infighting and had missed the mobile revolution. Microsoft needed a rapid turnaround to remain competitive and leverage the Cloud and AI inflections. Nadella placed a key emphasis on culture and building products that customers love. He focused on a shift in culture from a "fixed mindset," which valued knowing things, to a "growth mindset" where keeping an open mind to information and willingness to learn are emphasized. He put in place formal mechanisms to ensure that employee voices are taken seriously. Every leadership meeting began with a research team presenting their work to the entire executive team. Even when projects like an AI-powered chatbot failed, he was quick to provide "air cover" and encourage the team to continue taking risks. Microsoft shifted from metrics that rewarded the number of units sold to metrics measured how much users use the product. These moves paid off, and Mic...

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Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen

How can you foresee new growth opportunities and take advantage of the next inflection point? Distilled from decades of consulting expertise on innova...

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