#101—Bob Muglia: The Critical Role of People in Digital Transformation and the Future of AI

Outthinkers

Bob Muglia is a data technology investor and business executive, former CEO of Snowflake, and past president of Microsoft's Server and Tools Division. His rich background as a long-time leader in the tech space afforded him the unique position of being on the frontlines of the internet and related tech revolution.

Bob is an advocate that while technology and strategy are important, it is critical to maintain keen awareness of that your people are the critical coupling between digital transformation and your company’s strategic initiatives.

Bob also focuses on how innovation and ethical values can merge to shape the data economy's future in the era of AI and he serves as a board director for emerging companies which seek to maximize the power of data to help solve some of the world's most challenging problems

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In this episode, he shares:

• How a leader's role is to lay an effective strategic plan but in a way that empowers people own the idea like it's their own
• Fascinating insights into his years working with Satya Nadella, and how Microsoft from its inception leveraged partnerships for growth and competitive advantage
• Powerful tips on how you can grow non-core ventures and businesses even from within a slowly-growing company

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Episode Timeline:

00:00—Highlight from today's episode

00:49—Introducing Bob + The topic of today’s episode

2:05—If you really know me, you know that...

3:45—What is your definition of strategy (and the benefit of the weekly meeting)

6:02—Would you be able to characterize the approach to strategy in the Microsoft ecosystem, as you worked with Bill Gates, Satya Nadella and others?

9:18—You were part of the team that saw Satya Nadella's transition into CEO. What characteristics did he exhibit that made you feel that was the right choice?

13:13—What can you share about the ecosystem and partnership strategy Microsoft adopted from early on?

19:14—Could you expound on your views around artificial intelligence from a leadership perspective?

21:31—Could you talk to us about how values play into the rise of AI and sophisticated machines?

23:50—How can people follow you and connect with you to continue learning from you?

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Additional Resources:

Newest Book: https://www.thedatapreneurs.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-muglia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bob_Muglia

Thank you to our guest, our executive producer Zach Ness, our editor James Pearce, and the Outthinker team. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, download, and subscribe. I’m your host, Kaihan Krippendorff—thank you for listening.
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