Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella daily personally calls two CEOs daily, and asks these two questions | – Times of India

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has adopted an unconventional daily habit. The CEO of the $3 trillion tech giant carves out time each day to personally connect with two different executives, ranging from AI innovators to sports coaches, according to a recent report by The Information. This practice, deeply woven into Nadella’s routine, serves as his radar for detecting emerging trends, potential partnerships, and fresh talent in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Nadella’s calls span a wide range of industries, from AI leaders like Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas to figures outside the tech world, such as former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.During these conversations, Nadella reportedly focuses on two key questions:
“What new startups are you excited about?”
“What new people have you met that would be good to know?”
These daily check-ins have proven fruitful for Microsoft, laying the groundwork for crucial partnerships and investments. The Information reports that Nadella’s frequent communication with Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind and Inflection AI, eventually led to Suleyman’s hiring as the head of Microsoft AI.

From phone calls to billion-dollar deals: How Nadella’s daily habit has been fruitful to Microsoft

Nadella’s networking approach aligns with Microsoft’s recent investment strategy. Under his leadership, the company has made significant moves in the AI and robotics sectors:
• A $10 billion investment in OpenAI in 2023
• Participation in a $675 million funding round for humanoid robotics startup Figure AI
• A $1.5 billion investment in UAE-based G42
“You have to be open-minded that at the end of the day, sometimes partnerships are the only way to get ahead,” Nadella said of the OpenAI partnership in a May interview with the Stratechery newsletter.
Nadella’s networking strategy reflects a broader shift in his leadership approach at Microsoft. Since taking the helm in 2014, he has steered the company towards a more collaborative and partnership-oriented model. This approach has been instrumental in Microsoft’s resurgence as a tech leader, particularly in emerging fields like AI and cloud computing.