Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella personally calls two CEOs daily and asks these two questions |

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has adopted an unconventional daily habit. The CEO of the $3 trillion tech giant sets aside time every day to connect one-on-one with two different executives, ranging from AI innovations for sports coaches, according to a recent report from The Information. This practice, deeply ingrained in Nadella’s routine, serves as his radar for spotting emerging trends, potential partnerships and new talent in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Nadella’s connections span a wide range of industries, from AI leaders like Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas to figures outside the world of technology, such as former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. During these conversations, Nadella reportedly focuses on two main questions:
“What new startups are you excited about?”
“What new people have you met that would be nice to meet?”
These daily checks have proven fruitful for Microsoft, laying the groundwork for crucial partnerships and investments. The Information reports that Nadella’s frequent communication with Mustafa Suleimanco-founder of DeepMind and Inflection AI, eventually led to Suleyman’s hiring as head of Microsoft AI.

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

Nadella’s networking approach is in line 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 US$675 million financing round for a humanoid robotics startup Figure IA
• An investment of US$1.5 billion in the United Arab Emirates G42
“You have to be open-minded because at the end of the day, sometimes partnerships are the only way to progress,” 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 led the company toward a more collaborative, partnership-oriented model. This approach has been key to Microsoft’s resurgence as a technology leader, particularly in emerging fields like AI and cloud computing.