Microsoft has announced that Bob Muglia, President of Server and Tools, is leaving Microsoft. <\/p>\n
In his memo<\/a>, Steve Ballmer says:<\/p>\n Bob Muglia and I have been talking about the overall business and what is needed to accelerate our growth. In this context, I have decided that now is the time to put new leadership in place for STB. This is simply recognition that all businesses go through cycles and need new and different talent to manage through those cycles. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n It is always hard to tell from the outside, but in my encounters Muglia has been among the most articulate and confident of Microsoft\u2019s top executives. I have also noticed in my regular look at Microsoft\u2019s financials<\/a> that the Server and Tools business has performed consistently well for as long as I can remember.<\/p>\n Most recently, Muglia took over the Azure business and seemed to know where he was going with it. He is also responsible for developer tools, and while his remarks about Silverlight at Microsoft\u2019s PDC in November were disappointing<\/a> to developers on that platform, they showed a clear sense of direction.<\/p>\n In this context, it seems surprising that Ballmer is in search of \u201cnew and different talent\u201d. It does sound as if Ballmer and Muglia do not see the future of the cloud business \u2013 which is the focus of the memo \u2013 in the same way.<\/p>\n The key question: in what way did Ballmer and Muglia\u2019s vision differ? I guess we will get some more clues as today\u2019s news is discussed.<\/p>\n Update<\/strong>: Mary Jo Foley has posted Bob Muglia\u2019s internal email to his team<\/a>:<\/p>\n Later this year, I\u2019m moving on to new opportunities outside of Microsoft, so I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you what\u2019s important to me in life and leadership.<\/p>\n The foundation of who I am is based on living with integrity. Integrity requires principles, and my primary principle is to focus on doing the right thing, as best I can. The best thing, to the best of my ability, for our customers, our products, our shareholders, and of course, our people.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Just sugar, or did Muglia feel that staying at Microsoft would compromise those principles?<\/p>\n Since the announcement, the reaction across the industry has shown the high regard in which he is held, and bewilderment at why he is being let go. Here\u2019s Redmonk analyst James Governor on Twitter<\/a>:<\/p>\n Another exit: Microsoft server chief Muglia leaving company normally i say so what but this is TERRIBLE for microsoft<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Microsoft has announced that Bob Muglia, President of Server and Tools, is leaving Microsoft. In his memo, Steve Ballmer says: Bob Muglia and I have been talking about the overall business and what is needed to accelerate our growth. In this context, I have decided that now is the time to put new leadership in … Continue reading Bob Muglia leaving Microsoft, CEO Steve Ballmer searching for new cloud leadership<\/span> \n
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