[Flash] Peer Mentoring – The Unexpected Morning Habit of Microsoft’s CEO

According to a report in The Information, Nadella’s morning routine consists of exercise, gratitude, and two phone calls. Who is he calling? Leaders in companies outside of Microsoft, like Pete Carroll, an NFL coach, and Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of Perplexity AI.

Why? He wants their perspective and advice. And to ensure the conversations are purposeful, he starts with these two questions:

1. What new startups are you excited about?
2. What new people have you met who would be good to know?

This routine ensures Nadella stays apprised of threats and opportunities in the market while also expanding his network.

Seeking wisdom in this way is a form of peer mentoring – Nadella is leaning into his network to learn from them. He’s cognizant that his colleagues are connected differently, possess unique insights, and are privy to knowledge he doesn’t yet have.

Even if The Information’s report is exaggerated and Nadella only reaches out to leaders once a month or once a quarter, it’s still a remarkable commitment to connect, listen, and learn from his peers.

To make these peer mentoring conversations work, Nadella must suspend any steadfast opinions, predetermined answers, and established solutions.

Instead, he must approach the conversation with an open mind, willing to explore and discover new possibilities.

One of his peers might be excited about a company that Nadella had already unearthed and dismissed. By engaging with curiosity, he can hear his peer share a perspective or an insight that he had initially overlooked.

Peer mentoring is an exercise in intentionality, humility, wonder.

If the CEO of Microsoft invests time, effort, and energy into being mentored by his peers to grow and develop, we can too!

How?

• Connect with new people on LinkedIn.
• Make phone calls for wisdom instead of simply texting for information.
• Share goals and aspirations.
• Ask peers to contribute: “How would you approach this?” “What am I missing?” “Who should I know?”
• Frame conversations with a clear objective.
• Lead with thoughtful questions that drive that objective.
• Request introductions to new people.
• Seek connections beyond your department, job level, organization, and industry.
• Join formal mentoring programs to practice turning strangers into friends.

Network science research suggests that connecting to peers in diverse industries and social groups is a predictor of career success.

Makes sense! The more conversations we have, the greater the chance of colliding with promising ideas, opportunities, and people.

Intentional peer mentoring is the gateway!

© 2025. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.