1. What are the most critical roles of a strategic leader? 

2. Looking at the traits that make for effective strategic leaders, how do you evaluate Steve Ballmer’s and Satya Nadella’s leadership? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? Be specific.

3. Which strategic management process did Steve Ballmer put in place? Which strategic management process did Satya Nadella institute? 

4. Why did Microsoft struggle starting in 2000? How can the things that make a company successful also sow the seeds of decline when the environment changes? 

5. Why is new strategic leadership often needed to change strategy? What are the pros and cons of changing a CEO? 

6. In his book, Hit Refresh, Nadella states that one of the hardest things for strategic leaders is to change corporate culture. Why do you think that is? What did Nadella do to create a culture that was supportive of his strategy?