Lessons learnt from Satya Nadella's last weeks Interview on Open AI and Sam Altman!
Tips on Leaders communicating externally!
Now the OpenAI<>Sam Altman episode is over, I was trying to find learnings from that week. This one is on leaders communicating externally.
I always seek to get better at public speaking, so try to dissect most interviews. Here are some observations from Satya Nadella's interview with Emily Chang
(please note, Sam is back at Open AI, this is just me breaking down the interview before that decision)
1. Opens Strong with Microsoft AI plans: He opens with Microsoft’s work in AI, repeats the AI strategy, name drops a few models. Any Fortune 500 CXO watching the video feels “they have the best solution with Microsoft” or would want to work with Micorsoft
2. Repeat core point - “we are invested in OpenAI and Sam” - comes over 4 times. This is a strategy used by most leaders to ensure they land the most important point in an interview or company all hands (observe it next time). Try this for your product/agenda, it always works, it takes practice but really works or check out some more CXO interviews :)
3. Use of the right fillers (smart fillers) - Satya never feels lost, he buys his time with “look we at Microsoft...”, “it’s a good question you ask Emily...” - this gives him ~3s to think, it’s more than you need that at level v/s hmmm or let me think”, “may be” etc. which does the same work but comes across as less confident
4. Energy and his body language - Satya has a strong voice and exudes positive energy, you buy his vision even more with that auora.
5. Lastly, authority with “finesse” - When asked about does MS want a board seat? We need to have some “governance” to avoid “surprises” vs use of any negative words like, this should never happen again etc.
Emily Chang did an excellent job as well with asking very pertinent questions, my fav was burying “are they employees of Microsoft” to the middle of the interview after some warm up.
Let me know your thoughts!