GoKawiilIn the 1980s, when Intel was floundering, its leaders asked this simple question that ended up setting it back on track. In 1985, Intel was in trouble. Japanese competitors were dominating the memory chip market that Intel had helped invent. Inside the company, leadership debated what to do. During one conversation, Andy Grove, then Intel’s president and COO, asked CEO Gordon Moore a deceptively simple question: “If we were replaced tomorrow, what would a new CEO do?” Moore didn’t hesitate. “He would get us out of the memory business.”
This question saved Intel. Are you asking it?
Why This Matters
This article highlights how a single, strategic question from Intel's leadership in the 1980s helped steer the company away from declining markets and towards future growth. It underscores the importance of critical thinking and strategic questioning in navigating industry challenges, which remains highly relevant for tech companies and consumers today. Asking the right questions can be a catalyst for innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic questioning can redirect a company's focus and drive innovation.
- Intel's shift away from memory chips helped it regain competitiveness.
- Leadership's ability to ask tough questions is crucial during industry crises.
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