Steven Sinofsky, an instrumental force behind the success of Windows 7 and Windows 8, is on his way to Harvard Business School to teach project management and collaboration, among other things.
Sinofsky, who stepped down from his position at Microsoft in November, made the announcement in a Twitter post and described his move to Harvard as a "sabbatical." However, this is not his first time at the campus. Sinofsky was a "visiting scholar," at Harvard in 1998, which he had then described as a sabbatical too. He had already been working at Microsoft for nine years at that time. Sinofsky said his classroom would involve "product dev, planning, collaboration, and more" and his position will be classified as an "Executive in Residence."
The former Windows boss seems to be really excited about his next venture and appears to be glad that he quit Microsoft where he was rumored to be a not-so-good team player. He left his position at the software giant barely two weeks after Microsoft unveiled Windows 8. It was highly speculated that he was forced to resign due to his personality conflicts with other top Microsoft executives - possibly even CEO Steve Ballmer himself. However, Sinofsky has consistently denied such rumors. "Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read about me, new opportunities, the company or its leadership," he wrote in his letter to Microsoft employees.
"Windows and Windows Live President Steven Sinofsky will be leaving the company and Julie Larson-Green will be promoted to lead all Windows software and hardware engineering," Microsoft's statement said when he quit the firm. Commenting on his depature, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that "Sinofsky's departure was his decision. We wish him well"
