At the time Microsoft was the third-most-profitable company in the United States and the fourth most valuable. Nevertheless, this well-respected global technology giant didn’t seem to have a plan for replacing Ballmer, even though he had, according to most informed observers, underperformed for years. (Critics cite his slow move into mobile, social media, and video along with ill-fated acquisitions and product reboots.) While a few high-profile executives, such as Windows chief Steven Sinofsky and Xbox head Don Mattrick, had jumped ship during his tenure—another sign of trouble—with a workforce of 100,000, Microsoft surely could have identified other promising candidates in senior management roles, not to mention outsiders, who’d be ready to step in for Ballmer. Read this great HBR article to find out more