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Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

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Re: Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

#81

Post by notJim »

thematt wrote: post #42
benihana wrote: post #23

So I've always wondered what happens to you as a human when you're effectively fired from a high level, high visibility position. How does Sinofsky feel right now, emotionally? How does he feel professionally? Is this something someone shakes off as differences between opinionated guys in an organization? Or is this something that rocks him to his core? Does he go for another job right away? Or does he write a book a…

What makes you think he was fired? He may not see Ballmer retiring anytime soon and decided to move on to something bigger and better.

The article suggests that he was "fired" in some way:

  > Sources have said the move came amid growing 
  > tension between Sinofsky and other top executives. 
  > Sinofsky, though seen as highly talented, was 
  > viewed at the top levels as not the kind of team 
  > player that the company was looking for...
and

  > In a press release, Ballmer praised Steven’s work,
  > but also talked about a need for “more integrated
  > and rapid development cycles for our offerings.”
Further, I think your parents' question still fits with a little bit of wrangling even if he wasn't fired. It would be interesting to know what it feels like to reach a very high rank at a company and then to step down.

Re: Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

#82

Post by kineticflow »

mikecane wrote: post #17

Surface RT selling modestly due to limited distribution and poor reviews for RT itself. The hardware seems solid (I finally tried one tonight with both covers), but popping into the Desktop ruins the experience for people who only want Metro. (Me, I want full Win 8, so it matters a bit less to me... but breaking the Metro experience is still jarring.) OTOH, although I've heard of Metro app numbers increasing, there's…

>Surface RT selling modestly due to limited distribution

[citation needed]

Re: Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

#83

Post by pycassa »

Wistar wrote: post #44
sriramk wrote: post #35

This is a stunning development and most of MSFT is probably in shock right now. It's hard to overstate the scope and influence Sinofsky had at MSFT. This was a man widely expected to be the next CEO and he had impact way outside his organization (the 'Sinofsky-ization of teams'). Also, his stock was rising inside MSFT (when you stay inside the company long enough, you can sense which executives are in trouble and whi…

"This is a unexpected move which is going to change Microsoft at a deep level." Agreed, although not to the level of Sinofsky, Larsen-Green is pretty darn awesome in her own right. At least that is my opinion.

Can you tell us more about Larsen-Green? Can she deliver?

Re: Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

#84

Post by _delirium »

w1ntermute wrote: post #72
randomfool wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In 2009, Microsoft had 5 Presidents- Sinofsky, Stephen Elop, Robbie Bach, Qi Lu and Bob Muglia. All but Qi Lu are now gone. Not a good sign of Ballmer's ability to choose leaders.

Here's Ballmer's letter about Sinofsky's departure: http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/12/3638174/steve-ballmers-le... Edit: Sources inside Microsoft say a clash of personalities led to Sinofsky's departure: http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/12/3638340/microsoft-steven-... Steven Sinofsky's letter to Microsoft employees explaining his departure: http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/12/3638770/steven-sinofskys-...

I don't have strong opinions on any of this, but that letter really reads weirdly. It has an almost-no-transition set of segues between "congrats for all the work you've done recently", "Sinofsky is leaving", and "so here is who's in charge now", with a conspicuous lack of explanation or connection between those points.

Re: Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

#85

Post by dthunt »

randomfool wrote: post #59
sriramk wrote: post #35

This is a stunning development and most of MSFT is probably in shock right now. It's hard to overstate the scope and influence Sinofsky had at MSFT. This was a man widely expected to be the next CEO and he had impact way outside his organization (the 'Sinofsky-ization of teams'). Also, his stock was rising inside MSFT (when you stay inside the company long enough, you can sense which executives are in trouble and whi…

In 2009, Microsoft had 5 Presidents- Sinofsky, Stephen Elop, Robbie Bach, Qi Lu and Bob Muglia. All but Qi Lu are now gone. Not a good sign of Ballmer's ability to choose leaders.

There were a lot of good choices out there around the W7 timeframe. I can't really imagine the decision-making criteria, but I suspect it was a tough choice.

Windows is too big of an organization to steer by force of will. Hopefully the new head will be somewhat less contentious and more willing to defer to her deputies (supposition), but be similarly demanding in accountability.

Re: Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

#87

Post by mtgx »

sriramk wrote: post #68
barista wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Courier : J Allard :: Surface : Sinofsky Both of them equally sad departures. The latter more so.

Courier didn't cause J's departure and neither did Surface SteveSi's. Besides, Surface has been out for a week.

And Ballmer has already decided to say the "sales were modest". Maybe he already knew why Sinofsky will soon leave.

Re: Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

#88

Post by nl »

randomfool wrote: post #51
randomfool wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Up until now, the prevailing theory had been that Sinofsky was kicking out all of his competitors. My understanding is that Bob Muglia left because of direct conflict with Sinofsky and Robbie Bach seemed to be on the loosing end of a few Sinofsky scuffles. It may be that it just caught up with him. Or maybe he got too antsy for the CEO role.

Also- this looks incredibly bad for Ballmer. Sinofsky was at Microsoft his entire career and was head of Office before Windows. You don't promote someone like that without knowing what they'll manage like. Ballmer has lost almost all of his original group of Presidents (I believe Qi Lu is the only survivor). If the board is worth anything, they have to be real pissed at him- all potential successors have now left the…

It would do Microsoft a lot of good if the replacement for Ballmer wasn't a "lifer" at Microsoft.

If Sinofsky worked (successfully) somewhere else for a few years it should make him a stronger choice as CEO.

Re: Steven Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft

#89

Post by yllus »

I can't help but wonder if Forstall (Apple) and Sinofsky (MS) are two men who would have been strong, maybe even visionary leaders had they been allowed to reach the position of CEO at either company. I tend to feel that Jobs only made CEO because he had also been founder and ex-CEO, and had a certain cachet from that.
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