Archive · 2 Jun 2025
Ballmer Reveals Motivation Behind Iconic "Developers" Chant
Imagine a big company, Microsoft, and its boss, Steve Ballmer.
He once shouted "Developers!
Developers!
Developers!"
to get everyone's attention.
It was because the company wasn't paying enough attention to people outside the company who build things for Microsoft products.
Ballmer wanted the company to focus on supporting these external developers, as they were important for Microsoft's growth and success.
He thought it was important to show them that Microsoft cared and wanted their help.
It was also a response to pressure from competitors like IBM and Linux, who were building similar products.
Ballmer had a very passionate way of getting people motivated!
Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO, discussed his "Developers" chant.
The chant was a call to action to change Microsoft's internal mindset.
Microsoft was focusing too much on infrastructure and neglecting third-party developers.
Ballmer wanted to emphasize the importance of external developer support.
He believed third-party developers were key to Microsoft’s survival and growth.
- Who
- Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft.
- What
- Steve Ballmer recounted shouting the "Developers! Developers! Developers!" chant.
- When
- During his early years as Microsoft CEO, around the early 2000s.
- Where
- At a Microsoft developer conference.
- Why
- Steve Ballmer shouted to emphasize the importance of external developer support to the company.
Microsoft’s Internal Focus
Microsoft’s Internal Focus
Third-Party Developers
Microsoft’s Internal Focus
Microsoft teams were focused on infrastructure like Windows.
Microsoft’s Internal Focus
Emphasized the importance of third-party developers.
- Company
- Microsoft
- Steve Ballmer's Role
- Former CEO
- Timeframe
- Early 2000s
- Iconic Chant
- "Developers! Developers! Developers!"
- Competitors
- IBM and Linux
- Focus
- External developer support