Velvet spiders, the fiery red dots that I’ve only ever seen in my imagination, were my mother’s favorite playmates as a small child in India. She told me once that she and her brother would find them in the dirt outside their one-room house, entrap them in their hands and make them race each other. They’d fight to get to their crumb-filled destination, crawling over the numerous obstacles my mother set for them. I could never fathom why the spiders didn’t run away after my mother had released them. Why did they go through all the trouble for some tiny crumbs?

            A velvet dress, the coveted fabric that my mother had only ever seen in her imagination, was the dress I wore to a friend’s wedding. She had always wanted one just like this as a child, so she got one for me. As a kid, she could never fathom why her father could not buy her such a dress.

            Velvet curtains, the drapes that framed my Amaye’s world, protected her from the outside as she spent her days trapped inside reading about the adventures of the brave warrior prince, Ponniyin Selvan. She took breaks only to stare out the window at the cows she fed each morning. She always wanted to be a journalist, but she didn’t think she could do it, so she quit school and let her multitude of servants take care of her. She could never fathom becoming anything other than a wife or a mother.

            It was not until my grandmother watched the uneducated fathers, uncles and brothers of her family spend the entirety of their fortune and end up on the streets that she realized the value of knowledge.

            She realized that her education could have been her ticket out of a life that was not hers, a life that was dictated by drunken men and their poor decisions. She would not let the same fate fall on her daughter.

            When there was no school in their new town, my grandma rounded up all the neighborhood kids, found someone to teach them and petitioned for the mayor of the village to construct a new school for her daughter and the children of the town. She eventually convinced parents to come forward to educate their children in a newly built school. Now, this once one-room hut is one of the biggest schools in that locality in Coimbatore.

However, getting her daughter through school to her ticket to freedom was no small feat. My mother was often prey to some illness that took her out of school for weeks while my Amaye nursed her back to health. When she wasn’t sick, my mother simply refused to go to school, climbing up the Mango trees in her front yard to escape the teachers and their knuckle-hitting rulers. But my grandma would chase her up the tree, feed my mom breakfast, and walk her to school.

            When Amaye watched as her daughter suffered from the worst ailment of all, self doubt, she convinced my mother that she could do anything, that she could survive anything.

            So while wasteful men controlled my grandmother’s destiny, Amaye ensured that my mother’s life would be her own.

            After all the arduous labor, their hope was that I would never have to deal with the same self doubt. I would never think that I was too dumb, too feminine, or too brown to achieve my dreams. Their hope was for my life to be better and in many ways it is.

            Despite our incredibly different lives, I am filled with the same fiery red-hot passion that pushed the women in my life forward and the same struggle to believe in myself that held them back. I have realized that the isolation I feel now is no different from what they experienced.

I contain the same self doubt, but I keep scrambling forward, much like the velvet spiders, towards my finish line. Luckily, I have two generations of women who crawled before me so that I could run.

Katya Surendran

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I created leadership posters based on Satya’s leadership skills – Checkout here

The Unexpected Challenge

Consider the weekend when the tech world buzzed with news that sent ripples across Silicon Valley. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, was unexpectedly ousted, leaving stakeholders and industry onlookers in a state of shock. Microsoft, having invested a colossal $13 billion in OpenAI, found out about Altman’s dismissal just a minute before the rest of the world did—a situation ripe for panic and hasty decisions.

However, it was Satya Nadella’s response that captivated the attention of many. It wasn’t just about the swift decision-making in the eye of the storm, but the depth of his strategic thinking and emotional intelligence that would define the course of Microsoft’s future relationship with OpenAI and, by extension, the tech industry.

Adaptability and Strategic Patience

The true test of a leader often comes unannounced, and Nadella’s handling of the situation was a masterclass in adaptability. He did not react impulsively to the board’s blindsiding move. Instead, he engaged in patient negotiations, which is a testament to his strategic patience—a virtue that allows leaders to navigate through immediate crises with a long-term vision in mind.

Nadella supported Altman in considering his future endeavors, including the possibility of starting a new company. His approach was not one of containment or damage control but of fostering growth and potential, even amidst uncertainty. This level of support not only speaks to Nadella’s character but also to his ability to see beyond the immediate turbulence.

Decisiveness in Action

Nadella’s leadership is also marked by his decisiveness. Over that fateful weekend, he made a series of bold moves. He saw an opportunity in the crisis and hired Altman, set up a new division within Microsoft, and spent what was likely a substantial amount to ensure the transition was as smooth as possible. Moreover, he implicitly backed Altman’s aspirations for new ventures, indicating a trust in Altman’s innovative capabilities.

This decisiveness in the face of adversity is not just about making quick decisions but making the right ones. Nadella’s actions were not reactionary but were part of a well-thought-out strategy that considered the long-term implications and opportunities for Microsoft.

The Innovative Mindset

What truly sets Nadella apart is his innovative mindset. He adapted swiftly to the changing situation, refusing to be paralyzed by emotions or the potential fallout. He cultivated multiple options and thought imaginatively about how to lure Altman and his team. His actions were a mix of creativity, strategic thinking, and the boldness to act as situations rapidly evolved.

Nadella’s leadership style reflects an intrinsic understanding that innovation is not just about technology; it’s about how you lead, manage, and inspire in times of change. He has consistently encouraged a culture of learning and growth at Microsoft, emphasizing the importance of a ‘learn-it-all’ mentality over a ‘know-it-all’ one.

The Outcome of Innovative Leadership

The proof of Nadella’s innovative leadership is evident in the numbers. Under his tenure, Microsoft’s market cap has seen an eightfold increase—a clear indicator of the success and growth driven by his leadership philosophy. He has not only managed to keep Microsoft at the forefront of the tech industry but has also transformed its image from that of a sluggish behemoth to a nimble giant, ready to capitalize on the next wave of technological advancements.

In a world where change is the only constant, Nadella’s leadership journey is a playbook for aspiring leaders. It’s a narrative that underscores the essence of innovative leadership: adaptability, emotional intelligence, strategic patience, and the courage to make decisive moves.

Satya’s Accomplishments

Leadership in Times of Disruption

Satya Nadella’s leadership has not only been tested in times of internal company change but also in moments of global disruption. Under his guidance, Microsoft has faced down the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly shifting to remote work and helping others do the same. This agility in the face of unforeseen challenges is emblematic of Nadella’s readiness to pivot and innovate as necessary.

Pioneering Remote Work Solutions

As the pandemic forced businesses worldwide to adopt remote work, Microsoft Teams became a crucial platform for maintaining productivity and connectivity. Nadella understood the shifting needs of both individuals and organizations and accelerated the development and deployment of Teams to meet this unprecedented demand. This move underscored his ability to not only lead a company through disruption but also to offer solutions that enable others to navigate such disruptions.

Shaping the Culture of Learning

At the core of Nadella’s leadership is the philosophy that everything is learnable and that the potential for growth is limitless. He has worked tirelessly to embed this culture of learning at Microsoft, promoting initiatives that encourage continuous education and skill development.

Fostering a Knowledge-Sharing Ecosystem

Nadella’s leadership has also emphasized knowledge sharing, not just within teams but across the entire organization. He has encouraged a culture where insights and best practices are exchanged freely, breaking down silos and ensuring that the entire company benefits from individual and team successes.

The Sustainability Commitment

In an era where sustainability has become a critical concern for businesses and consumers alike, Nadella has positioned Microsoft as a leader in this area as well. He has committed the company to ambitious sustainability goals, including being carbon negative by 2030 and removing all the carbon the company has emitted since its founding by 2050.

Technology for Good

Microsoft under Nadella has also leveraged its technological prowess to tackle global environmental challenges. Through AI for Earth, Microsoft is empowering individuals and organizations around the world to use artificial intelligence to advance sustainability in areas such as agriculture, water, biodiversity, and climate change.

Looking to the Future

As we consider the future of leadership in the tech industry and beyond, Satya Nadella’s innovative approach offers key insights. His blend of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning and inclusivity provides a roadmap for leaders facing the complex challenges of the 21st century.

Legacy of Innovation

Nadella’s legacy at Microsoft will be defined by his innovative leadership during a time of significant change, not only for the company but for the world at large. His ability to envision a future and bring it to fruition through calculated risks and a people-centric approach will continue to serve as an inspiration for future leaders.

Conclusion

Satya Nadella’s leadership style transcends the traditional boundaries of technology and business. It speaks to the heart of what it means to be a leader in any field: the ability to adapt, to envision a better future, and to inspire others to join you on the journey. As businesses around the world continue to navigate the waters of digital transformation, Nadella’s innovative leadership skills remain a beacon of what is possible when vision, empathy, and adaptability converge.

Venkat

I created leadership posters based on Satya’s leadership skills – Checkout here

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