Hit Refresh - Satya Nadella

Book Review/Summary:

I have never been someone who has followed Satya Nadella or Microsoft very seriously. I like the company and their products, but I never watched their launch events or anything. This changed when I saw Satya Nadella’s interview with Marques Brownlee. Not only was he funny and innovative in the interview, the ideas and things he discussed changed my views about him, and the direction he is taking Microsoft in. When he was appointed as the CEO, he had to fit in some really big shoes because following the legacy of Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer was never going to be easy. However, the best part about Satya is, he is not trying to replicate either of them. He is taking and building Microsoft in a direction which he feels is fit for the company and clearly, it’s looking like the right direction. From building Quantum Computers to Data Centres to going Carbon Negative, the projects Microsoft is focusing on under Satya’s leadership are commendable. But was Satya this mega icon and brilliant technology-driven person since his initial days? The answer is a big fat no. Technology wasn’t even what he wanted to do in his childhood. Like the majority of Indian boys in their young days, even he wished to play Cricket for India. This journey from an aspiring Cricketer to CEO of Microsoft, along with his life story and what he thinks the future will be like is what Satya talks about in his book.

This book is essentially split into three distinct sections. The first revolving around his personal life and initial days in Hyderabad, the second around what changes he is focusing on as the CEO of Microsoft and the third being what he thinks the future will be like.

In the first part, Satya talks about his journey as a young boy growing up in the streets of India. He describes his childhood ambitions of becoming a cricketer and what the sport taught him. He describes his experiences in detail and even highlights what these incidences taught him and how they helped him in his life. He talks about how he bombed the JEE and thus could not get into IIT. He eventually entered the Manipal (Manipal Institute of Technology) and how that college shaped his journey towards computers.

In the second part, Satya talks about what he is trying to do as the CEO of Microsoft. He has always said and mentions in the book as well that his main focus is to build the culture in Microsoft. He focuses on the steps he took and still takes to do this. He also describes how he partnered up with rival companies for the mutual growth of both brands which I found to be quite impressive.

In the last and final part, Satya describes his vision of the future. He goes in-depth to show how Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence are going to lead the future and the endless possibilities they are going to bring with them.

It's a great read with some really beautiful stories. Satya not only describes his journey, but he also talks about some emotional moments like his mom’s death and what his son Zain’s condition has taught him. He is one CEO who is not afraid to own up his mistakes and even talks about one of the biggest on stage mistakes he has made.

Overall, it’s a wonderful book that teaches you not only about leadership but also restores faith in humanity and the beautiful value of empathy. Do check it out and give it a read.

Happy Reading.