CHAPTER 3
CULTURE RENOVATION NEEDS TO START AT THE TOP
At the turn of the century, Microsoft was on top of the world. Its operating system and applications powered most of the world’s computers. Its stock had hit a pre-split all-time high of $119.94 a share at the end of 1999 for a market cap of $583 billion (at the time a record for all companies), and “Microsoft millionaire” was a term commonly used in the industry due to the company’s ability to quickly make employees rich through equity grants.
Then, two weeks into the new decade, co-founder Bill Gates announced he was handing over the CEO duties to Steve Ballmer. The news surprised most everyone.
“I was stunned when Bill announced that he was stepping aside to become ‘chief software architect’ ...
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