Posted by Updated November 2025
Finding the Corporate Soul
Can a company really have a soul—or is that an oxymoron in the corporate world?
When Satya Nadella became CEO of Microsoft in 2014, he inherited a global brand both admired and criticized. Some analysts still frame Apple and Google as tech’s top rivals, but Microsoft’s momentum under Nadella is undeniable. The company’s Xbox division continues to generate billions, while breakthroughs in cloud computing and AI signal a culture of continuous reinvention.
In a Harvard Business Review interview, Nadella discussed his book Hit Refresh, which chronicles his early years leading Microsoft through cultural renewal. He describes the need for organizations—especially mature ones—to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their mission and values: what he calls the company’s soul.
So how does he define it? Nadella points back to Microsoft’s origin story:
“The first product Microsoft created was the BASIC interpreter for the Altair. It was about creating technology so that others can create more technology. That’s who we are at our core, in our soul… every business is now a software company, and it’s even more possible for us to be that tool provider, that platform creator—that’s really who we are.”
Rival or not, Apple shares that same philosophy—leadership that focuses on purpose and culture, not just profit.
So, does your organization have a soul? Or does that idea make you roll your eyes? The “soul” of a company—whatever you call it—creates meaning. It gives people a reason to show up, connect, and care.
At Venture Up, we sometimes trade “soul” for “juice”—the energy that motivates teams, unifies departments, and drives loyalty from within. Our programs are designed to help companies rediscover that energy through shared experience and authentic connection.
Venture Up (est. 1983) is the original team building company, helping organizations build trust and collaboration through real-world experience.
© 2025 Venture Up Inc. | ventureup.com
