Leading Culture Change at Microsoft Western Europe

This teaching plan is designed to be used in conjunction with the case study “Leading Culture Change at Microsoft Western Europe,” HBS No. 624-096, to help faculty deepen student understanding of psychological safety and organizational culture transformation through classroom discussion. The case begins with Cindy Rose’s appointment as President of Microsoft Western Europe (MSWE) in 2020. Previously, Rose had served as the CEO of Microsoft UK from 2016-2020, where she successfully doubled the business in three years. This case focuses on the challenges Cindy Rose faced stepping into the President of MSWE role, along with the positive changes she made to transform the culture of the leadership team and of MSWE more broadly. In particular, the case details concrete steps Rose took to create psychological safety in her team and beyond.