The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving cover image

The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

530: Bill Gates & Steve Ballmer’s Direct Advisor: Leadership, Self-Management, and Life Lessons

Mar 3, 2025
45:46

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 530, an interview with a seasoned executive coach and the author of You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need), Sabina Nawaz.

 

In this episode, Sabina shares her journey from software development at Microsoft to advising C-level executives. She explains the dangers of pressure overpowering leaders and advocates for self-care and emotional intelligence. Throughout her journey as a leader, she realized the need for effective communication, urging leaders to seek feedback and practice active listening. Sabina introduces tools like the "joyline" to identify what brings joy and fulfillment and emphasizes the importance of celebrating self-acceptance and prioritizing continuous development through micro-habits like journaling and meditation. Her new book, You’re the Boss, offers practical strategies for maintaining success and leadership effectiveness.

 

Sabina Nawaz who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions around the world. During her fourteen-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly.

 

Get Sabina’s book here: https://rb.gy/tw6yuq

You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)

 

Here are some free gifts for you:

Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach

McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf

Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

 

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