Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says being a good listener is key to leadership

Steve Ballmer started at Microsoft (MSFT) as Bill Gates’ assistant in 1980, when he was employee number 30. He later went on to become its CEO at the height of the dot-com bubble. His unmatched energy and passion for all things ​​Microsoft was on full display at his infamous product launches. Unfortunately for Ballmer, Microsoft’s stock price did not match that energy. He announced his retirement in 2013, after losing billions of dollars on acquisitions and on the Surface tablet. Microsoft's stock price rebounded on the news, in part contributing to the billions he ultimately made in Microsoft employee stock options - enough to buy the Los Angeles Clippers. You can now find the 67-year-old mostly courtside, rooting for his team and leading the charge at non-profit USAFacts, which aims to provide in-depth insight into the country's economy. "Tone gets set at the top. We're hardcore, we're going to win. We're about maximizing our chance to win championships," Ballmer said of the Clippers. Ballmer is also focused on government transparency through USAFacts. Ballmer talks with Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi about his leadership style and how it has evolved over the years. “I've decided I want to be more like an executive chairman than like a CEO in my new life. That means we have people who really run things,” Ballmer said

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[ps]

His best decision was to resign and pass the baton to the next guy. Under his watch, he failed to compete with android, lost billions in nokia. Vista was crap too. His micromanagement showed he wasnt successful as a leader.

[JLone]

Seems like this whole thing is just an ad for Steve’s political
Action committee / non profit.

[daisangkung]

The greatest contribution Steve Ballmer did at Microsoft was to resign.

[triarii]

For the record, this is the Microsoft 8 guy. Just to keep in perspective

[AnymMusic]

if being a good listener is key to leadership, no wonder Ballmer has the reputation that he does.

[stainlessstove]

He didnt listen to his advisors about comepeting against android phones.

He didnt want xbox as he thought microsoft was a business software company and games wouldnt be profitable enough for mocrosoft.