Satya Nadella has been at the head of Microsoft – the third largest market capitalization in the world – since 2014. His long years of experience at Microsoft have allowed him to refine his thinking on the definition of what a good leader is.
During the Mobile World Congress (the largest trade fair in the mobile phone industry) held in Barcelona in February 2019, Satya Nadella outlined the main qualities sought in Microsoft employees. He also admitted that it was not easy for him to apply them daily.
In this article, we present to you the three tips for becoming a better leader according to Satya Nadella!
Bringing clarity in times of uncertainty
In a situation of distress or crisis, a good leader must be able to provide clear directives to his teams and make relevant decisions. During his speech, Satya Nadella emphasizes that: “Leaders have this astonishing and uncanny ability to bring clarity to an inherently uncertain and ambiguous situation. »
According to him, it is inconceivable to be called a leader if the person does not bring clarity and certainty where there is none.
Nadella has long considered this quality, sometimes underestimated, as being “the most important attribute” that every type of leader should have.
Transmit good energy to your team
Certainly, the ability to provide clarity in times of uncertainty is an essential quality that a leader must possess; However, she is not the only one. According to the general manager of the large IT group, it is crucial to make your work a real passion and to accomplish it with enthusiasm and kindness. “Leaders are those who create energy”says Nadella.
A good leader is one who pulls his teams up, without denigrating the work of others. “I’m awesome, my team is awesome, everyone else around me sucks » are not words that an exemplary leader should say.
Make success a priority
Success is a long road strewn with pitfalls, no one gets there overnight without overcoming a few obstacles. A good leader is one who creates his own opportunities and does not wait “ perfect weather or the complete alignment of the stars » to take action.
The Microsoft manager pays very particular attention to this aspect, since he encourages his employees to pursue their passion and fully assume their identity.
The software giant also considers these character traits during interviews. If you want to pursue a career at Microsoft, you should keep in mind that the company is looking for people who have “a strong desire to learn, a passion for new technologies as well as a real desire to work hard and put your skills at the service of the company. »
In 2018, the CEO visited the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he reminded his students of the importance of these leadership qualities. However, he stressed that empathy is a determining ingredient that a leader must demonstrate, both in his personal life and on the professional level.
Finally, it is sometimes difficult to constantly respect these three qualities. But the most important thing is to do your best and learn from your mistakes. Nadella does not fail to remind us: “We have to start by recognizing that we are not perfect in these three areas. The main thing is to never stop learning and become the best version of yourself.”
