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In the glory days of Microsoft (circa Windows 95), the company culture was very different than in the Ballmer Administration. There used to be a class called 'P

In the glory days of Microsoft (circa Windows 95), the company culture was very different than in the Ballmer Administration. There used to be a class called 'Precision Questioning' that was specifically about being very efficient at asking very pointed, very direct questions. To the uninitiated, it came across as incredibly rude and disrespectful. But it was effective. Things got done fast, and BS was caught immediately, because the questions that got asked were rude, disrespectful, but vitally needed to make the right decisions. It cut through to the truth as quickly as possible. I think there's something happening here -- being direct and truthful hurts, but to create great things, you have to set aside feelings. Since Ballmer took over the reigns, Microsoft no longer teaches this course to its managers. Kinder and gentler, he said -- but there's a very real cost to kinder and gentler.

tbrooks 17y ago
Microsoft's success (and failure in many areas) extends beyond communication styles. In part, Microsoft developed a "we know best" culture that fails to see both opportunities and hazards. Being so inwardly focused creates a low sense of urgency. Obviously AA and other large corps face the same problem. Still, it is possible have direct/pointed discussions and maintain humility. Take Zappos for example. Two of Zappos core values are 9.Be Passionate and Determined and 10.Be Humble. The two are not in conflict with each other. They've done well, as has Chick-fil-A - another large company that esteems humility.
roundsquare 17y ago
I agree, direct and pointed questions do come across as rude and people need to learn to deal with them. "Why should I trust what your saying when your last recommendation cost me $100,000.00" sounds rude, but its just direct. However, if you add "you stupid idiot" to the end, then you've increased the rudeness without increasing precision. This is how a lot of the original post came off.

tbrooks 17y ago

Microsoft's success (and failure in many areas) extends beyond communication styles. In part, Microsoft developed a "we know best" culture that fails to see both opportunities and hazards. Being so inwardly focused creates a low sense of urgency. Obviously AA and other large corps face the same problem. Still, it is possible have direct/pointed discussions and maintain humility. Take Zappos for example. Two of Zappos core values are 9.Be Passionate and Determined and 10.Be Humble. The two are not in conflict with each other. They've done well, as has Chick-fil-A - another large company that esteems humility.

roundsquare 17y ago

I agree, direct and pointed questions do come across as rude and people need to learn to deal with them. "Why should I trust what your saying when your last recommendation cost me $100,000.00" sounds rude, but its just direct. However, if you add "you stupid idiot" to the end, then you've increased the rudeness without increasing precision. This is how a lot of the original post came off.