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SB

Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

I struggled with the transition to being CEO, especially during a year when Bill and I didn't speak; we had to learn how to respect each other's roles.

Video

A

The Steve Ballmer Interview

@ Acquired

06/02/25

Related Takeaways

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Luis von Ahn

05/10/25

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

As CEO, I've transitioned from being a micromanager to learning to delegate, focusing on being a culture carrier and making tough philosophical decisions.

SB

Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

Bill and I disagreed on many key decisions, including whether to pursue hardware, which created tension in our relationship.

DM

Doug McMillon

04/24/25

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

When I moved into the CEO role, I had to be clear on our purpose and the values and culture we wanted to instill in the organization.

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Steve Huffman

09/26/24

@ Sequoia Capital

Returning as CEO was a crucial moment for me because I had the moral authority to define the company's direction and the community's role.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

01/31/19

@ Y Combinator

I had to balance transparency with kindness when discussing the company's future with my team, especially as we grew larger.

ES

Emmett Shear

06/16/25

@ a16z speedrun

The hardest part about being a CEO is balancing the need to inspire with the operational demands of running a business.

DH

Drew Houston

02/24/17

@ Y Combinator

Your role as a CEO evolves every six months to a year, and skills that were beneficial at one stage may hinder you at the next.

BH

Brian Halligan

05/08/19

@ Y Combinator

I realized I needed to manage my energy differently when I started my journey as a CEO, especially in a social environment.

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Michael Seibel

08/16/24

@ Y Combinator

As a CEO, I need to think about what will keep my co-founder motivated during tough times, not just what makes them happy today.