In this enlightening conversation with Adam Grant, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, shares his insights on the future of work, leadership, and building cultures of care.
He discusses the transformation he has led at Microsoft, the shift to remote and hybrid work, and the importance of good management practices.
Onboarding in a Remote Environment
The challenges of onboarding new employees in a remote or hybrid work environment are significant.
The direct connection to the immediate manager is crucial in this process, and managers need to take on the responsibility of onboarding new employees, from handling paperwork to making introductions.
The Future of Workspaces
Physical spaces will become more modular, allowing desks to appear in different places at different times depending on the type of work being done.
This approach aligns with the evolving nature of work and the increasing need for flexibility.
The Role of Gaming in the Future
Gaming is a significant focus for Microsoft, with recent major investments in Xbox and Activision.
Nadella sees gaming as a source of joy and community, and believes it will play a crucial role in the next phase of the internet, often referred to as the metaverse.
Model, Coach, Care Framework
Nadella discusses the concept of ‘Model, Coach, Care’ as a framework for managerial skills.
This approach involves modeling the right behavior, coaching employees to develop their skills, and caring about their well-being and success.
Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety
Creating a culture of psychological safety, where employees feel secure enough to admit their mistakes and learn from them, is crucial.
This kind of culture should be systemic, rather than dependent on individual vulnerability.
Transforming Microsoft’s Culture
Satya Nadella has been instrumental in transforming Microsoft’s culture from one of internal competition to collaboration, fostering a ‘one Microsoft’ ethos.
This shift was driven by a need to re-ground the company in its purpose and mission, and to establish a culture that encourages growth and learning.
The Future of Work
Nadella believes that the future of work is already here and is continually evolving.
Our expectations of where and how we work have undergone a significant shift, but we are still in the process of figuring out the next phase before long-term trends stabilize.
The Importance of Good Management Practices
Good management practices are crucial in ensuring employee well-being in a remote or hybrid work environment.
This includes setting clear expectations about work hours and response times, and creating a culture where employees do not feel obligated to respond to emails immediately.
We definitely are in it and it is going to evolve. I think our expectations of what to where and how we work have gone through a real structural shift but I think we’re still figuring it out in terms of this next phase before long-term trends truly stabilize. – Satya Nadella
Ensuring Safety for Marginalized Groups
Leaders need to deeply understand the lived experiences of their team members and ensure their voices are heard.
This involves exercising flexibility and empathy to help people do their best work while managing their personal lives.
I think our expectations of what to read and how we work have gone through a real structural shift, but I think we’re still figuring it out in terms of this next phase, before long-term trends truly step up. – Satya Nadella
Humility and Vulnerability in Leadership
Leaders should not be afraid to admit when they don’t have all the answers or when they’ve made a mistake.
This approach creates a sense of psychological safety within the team and encourages open communication and learning.
The Power of Collaboration
Intellectual exploration can be enhanced by learning from others, and great teaming is the currency for meeting unmet and unarticulated needs.
This fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth.
We’ll need to learn the soft skills Adam it’s not about a tool but it’s good old-fashioned good management practices that we need in order for people uh to have their well-being taken care of. – Satya Nadella
Rethinking Remote Work
Remote work should be viewed not as a switch, but as a dial, according to Nadella.
All four quadrants of work (together or remote, synchronous or asynchronous) need to be excellent for work to get done and collaboration to happen.
This includes supporting time-shifted work in multinational companies and rethinking the use of physical space.
