When Microsoft selected Satya Nadella as CEO, they didn’t just choose a successor

Written By Karim Mawji

When Microsoft selected Satya Nadella as CEO, they didn’t just choose a successor. They backed a leader with a clear behavioral edge.

This wasn’t a flashy hire. It was based on deep executive insight: emotional intelligence, strategic vision, internal trust, and a history of unifying teams. That’s the difference between CEO selection and CEO due diligence, and it’s where most investors still fall short.

The Microsoft board didn’t gamble on charisma. They made a data-informed decision rooted in leadership behavior and cultural fit, and it paid off.

If you want to predict a company’s success, study the person steering the ship before you study the business.

https://fortune.com/2025/03/24/microsoft-satya-nadella-microsoft-ceo-selection/

Karim Mawji
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