I honestly think he doesn't realize that he's the problem and people around him won't tell him the truth. Ballmer is a very intimidating guy both in physical size and attitude and is always ready to be combative. This make it very difficult to have a open dialog with him.
Him remaining still as the CEO is not his fault its the boards fault they should have made moves to genteelly replace him a long time ago.
>"Ballmer is a very intimidating guy both in physical size and attitude and is always ready to be combative."
As larger than average person I'm fascinated/frustrated by the way physical presence affects people.
Most troublesome for me have been people who apparently feel intimidated and project it back as something intentional, as I'm trying to intimidate them or have intimidated others into agreement with me.
I don't know if intimidated is the right word, but I'm pretty average height - 5'11'', and I've personally observed over time that I feel much more insecure around bigger people. I'm not sure how common it is but it's something I've become consciously aware of and try to correct myself on. But even being aware of it, it's really hard to ignore. For example, I find I gain a lot of self-confidence when I sit at a conference table talking to someone, putting us on "equal" footing. But if standing where I'm looking up at someone I suddenly feel like a small boy talking out of place to a grown-up. It's silly but it's an overwhelmingly noticeable sensation that drives me crazy.
I suspect it could have evolved out of having a physically intimidating older brother growing up (I grew out of a lot of insecurities when I became taller than he was, but maybe not all).
>Most troublesome for me have been people who apparently feel intimidated and project it back as something intentional, as I'm trying to intimidate them
I am 6'7" tall and weigh 220 pounds. I've also been in IT for about 20 years in a corporate setting. Are you bigger than I am? I ask because I have never had anyone say that I intimidated them nor have I heard of anyone telling me that someone else is intimidated by me. I'm curious as to whether people are intimidated and just aren't telling me.
I'm your height, 60+ pounds heavier and no stranger to the gym. I've been in IT for going on 16 years.
I've had many people admit they were initially intimidated after we've gotten to know each other - women a bit more than men. I've had several problems arise from superficial assumptions/accusations by people who'd never fully interacted with me.
About your situation, there are a couple things I think can help/hurt:
* Build. I can remember being 220. I'm definitely perceived differently now, more "big" than "tall" or "slim" previously.
* I'm pretty quiet. I get the impression that people assume negatives before positives when they can't read a person.
* Jobs. I've done a lot of work in the public sector where things always seem to be contentious. In a place with less infighting and political maneuvering I'd hope for less assumption and undermining as well.
I'm not as tall as you, just 6'2" but I take the precaution of sitting when talking seriously to people (mostly students, I'm a teacher, I just carry a chair round the classroom). The result is less challenging behaviour from students (UK)
This is a good point, and it goes the opposite way too.
I'm a smaller than average guy (5 foot 4) and people that don't know me are often started when I'm vocal and assertive in meetings. I'm a working professional with opinions just like anyone else, and just because I'm short doesn't mean I don't want them heard.
Him remaining still as the CEO is not his fault its the boards fault they should have made moves to genteelly replace him a long time ago.