Bill Gates Kept Tabs On His Employees By Memorizing Their License Plates: 'I Knew Everybody's License Plates So I Could Look Out In The Parking Lot And See When Did People Come In And When Were They Leaving'

In the early days of Microsoft Corp., the work environment was intensely demanding, a culture largely shaped by Co-Founder Bill Gates. In a 2016 BBC Radio 4 interview, Gates acknowledged his extreme dedication to work, saying, “I was quite fanatical about work.” 

Gates was aware of his demanding standards, as he stated, “I had to be a little careful not to apply my standards onto how hard they worked.” However, he still kept a close eye on his employees’ work hours, noting, “I knew everybody's license plates so I could look out in the parking lot and see when did people come in [and] when were they leaving.”

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Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen provided further insights into the high-stress environment at the company in a 2011 Vanity Fair article. He characterized the company as a place where “Bill drove others as hard as he drove himself,” growing into a taskmaster who would check the parking lot on weekends to see which employees were working. 

“People were already busting their tails, and it got under their skin when Bill hectored them into doing more,” Allen said.

One notable incident involved Gates's Harvard University classmate Bob Greenberg, who had worked 81 hours over four days. When Gates asked Greenberg about his plans for the following day and learned that he intended to take a day off, Gates's response was, “Why would you want to do that?” This revealed Gates's inability to relate to the need for rest, as he “never seemed to need to recharge.”

Allen also reflected on his working relationship with Gates, noting their different styles. While Allen preferred to thoroughly analyze data for decision-making, Gates favored intense, one-on-one discussions and was not averse to conflict. Allen recalled how Gates could be demeaning, challenging people to defend their positions and resorting to sarcasm or blunt criticism if displeased.

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Despite the high-pressure environment at Microsoft, there was an upside. Gates respected those who stood their ground and pushed back, engaging in rigorous debate to arrive at the best solution. This aspect of the work culture at Microsoft, although challenging, encouraged even the more passive employees to assert themselves.

In a 2019 event hosted by venture firm Village Global, Gates engaged in a conversation with Eventbrite Co-Founder and CEO Julia Hartz. When asked about his perspective on work-life balance and whether it has evolved over the years, Gates offered a straightforward response. He said that particularly in a company’s early years — and especially when building a software platform — significant sacrifices must be made. These sacrifices are crucial to demonstrate the feasibility of ambitious engineering projects.

Gates stressed the importance of having a dedicated team that shares a mutual commitment to the company’s success during its initial years. Ensuring that all team members are aligned in their dedication to the company’s goals is vital. While individual circumstances may occasionally arise, he maintains his belief that substantial sacrifices are necessary during the early stages of a venture, especially when tackling complex engineering challenges.

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