In this assignment, use the Agnihotri $(2021)$ case, Kahn, $(2024),$ and additional resources provided for synthesizing your learning of the change management models $($in Canvas Resources$)$ and the transformative experiences of the current CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella.

Satya Nadella assumed the CEO role at Microsoft in $2014$ when the company was experiencing the adverse effects of a mature business $$ in the PC sector, its operating system business, and its office productivity software tools. Continuing the then$-$current business model would make Microsoft irrelevant, leading to further declines in its once$-$vaunted businesses and technologically obsolete. Microsoft needed a new strategic vision and strategic management, innovative technological advances, new businesses, and a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Enter the new CEO of Microsoft. His charter was to transform Microsoft, and he did so through leading, building, and marshaling all resources around a shared vision.

Case Questions

$1)$ Evaluate the severe challenges leadership faces in an industry that is continually facing disruptive $/$rapid dynamic competitive changes. Use Denning $(2016)$ and Kotter $(2012)$ in your analysis.

$2)$ What are the hallmarks of transformative leaders and how do they overcome institutional resistance to transformative changes? Use Scott $2022)$ in your analysis.

$3)$ When taking on the position as CEO of Microsoft, Mr$.$ Nadella asks a critical question for himself, $$what would be lost if Microsoft just disappeared?$$ We had to answer for ourselves, $$what is the company about? Why do we exist?$$ In your analysis connect these questions and the effort to answer them with Kotter$$s steps for successful change management and the hallmarks of transformative leadership.

$4)$ Using your learning in Weeks $1$ and $2,$ assess the leadership practice and style of Nadella in this high risk age of AI technologies. Revisit the questions, $$what would be lost if Microsoft just disappeared?$$ We had to answer for ourselves, $$what is the company about? Why do we exist?$$ in the dawn of AI$.$

$5)$ Use the financial data provided in Statista spread to analyze the scope and depth of the changes in the business model at Microsoft.

$6)$ Kotter $(2012)$ enjoins leaders in hierarchical organizations to build networks of $$guiding collaborations$.$ Can you see evidence of this type of collaboration in Nadella leadership process and for changing organizational culture?

$7)$ In the concluding section, address the importance that Mr$.$ Nadella ascribes to an organizational culture of empathy. What leadership style $/$practice makes this aspect a core element? Does this emphasis encourage people and resources to work across the boundaries of organizations and departments to create sustainable transformations?