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Microsoft’s transformation from ratings to real dialogue

Equipping thousands of leaders to drive performance through connection

Photo of three people sat or standing around a computer screen in an office with a white version of the Microsoft logo superimposed in the middle foreground
0%
of participants reported a positive impact on collaboration
 
 
0%
of participants reported feeling positive about the new performance management programme
 
 

About Microsoft

Microsoft is a global technology leader best known for their Windows operating system, Microsoft 365 suite and Azure cloud platform. With a growing focus on innovation, collaboration and cloud-first services, Microsoft empowers people and organisations worldwide to achieve more.

Microsoft
Software development
228,000 employees
Redmond, Washington, US
Performance management

Challenge

Rewriting the rules of performance

After realising their performance management efforts were no longer working, Microsoft decided it was time for a change. And to get there, they’d need to undergo a radical transformation.

Solution

Replacing ratings with real dialogue

Ratings, rankings and the competitive culture were retired and replaced with collaboration and equipping managers to have improved performance conversations.

Workouts ranging from Managing for impact and Giving actionable feedback were offered to 10,000 managers in two different languages.

Results

Performance redefined, positivity regained

After the programme, 67% of participants said they felt positive about the new performance management programme with 70% saying there had been a positive impact on collaboration.

How we've helped other organisations reach their performance goals

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How Lloyds Banking Group transformed performance for 70,000 colleagues

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Caset study example_Finning

How Finning empowered managers to shape a climate of respect

Construction