Microsoft founder Bill Gates recently named three key figures who supported Satya Nadella’s appointment as CEO: Gates himself, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith. In a conversation with Smith, Gates reflected on the decision-making process and shared his concerns about Microsoft’s future after stepping away from day-to-day operations. During the interview, Smith asked “One of the biggest bets, I would say that you were involved in making… was the choice of Satya Nadella. It was announced 11 years ago now. Looking back, how do you think about that day and that decision?”
What Bill Gates said about Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
Answering Smith’s question, Gates replied:
“I’ll tear up on this, ’cause it meant a lot to me. I’ve had two successors, and do I feel lucky because as I went off to do the foundation work, the one thing that plagued me was: Was I going to see the company fade in terms of its excellence?”.
“Would I be haunted by: Should I go back, should I not go back?,” he stated.
“So the fact that Steve took us to new heights and the fact that through a process that almost hit the wrong decision. Although you and Steve (Barmer) and I never wavered from knowing Satya would be good, and he’s been even better at navigating what even today remains one of the most complex CEO jobs in the world—makes me feel so good that I get to just come in and play a very bit role of doing product reviews, learning about AI, getting some help from Microsoft on the work that I’m doing.
Gates stepped down as Microsoft’s CEO in 2000, with Ballmer taking over. When Ballmer retired in 2013, there was speculation about who would lead the company next.
“It’s allowed me to throw everything in and to have the incredible resources that my Microsoft ownership created.”
