Managing with fear…

I have been reading a lot of articles about Steve Ballmer, the outgoing CEO of Microsoft. None of these articles have cast Mr. Ballmer in a positive light. Rather they paint him as being a bully who managed Microsoft with fear. According to an article in USA Today, Mr. Ballmer was known for throwing chairs across the room when he became angry.  The problem is that managing with fear stifles innovation, creativity, risk taking and thinking outside the box. These are the very things that are necessary for a business to succeed in today’s fast changing environment. Mr. Ballmer needs to learn that chairs are made for sitting and CEO’s are there to support and encourage fellow employees. That’s how you become a successful company like Google who is now eating Microsoft for lunch.