Here's a fascinating account by former Microsoft Exchange guy Tom Evslin about his years at the software giant.

Much of it is not new—e.g. when you present to Big BillG, you'd better be prepared to fight to the death and demonstrate the wisdom and logic of your argument, even in the face of ridicule and verbal abuse. But Evslin's take is worth reading.

Note that Evslin says there's much to admire about this approach: For one thing you learn to think things through. And through again, in advance. And then make your pitch to Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer or Mike Maples. (BillG, SteveB, MikeMap in Microsoft e-mail parlance.)

On the other hand, there is a big downside, as Evslin recounts here:

"Two problems with this approach: one is that kinder and gentler people, who may be still be very smart, get stomach aches and other unpleasant symptoms when they gave to confront bullying. Microsoft lost out on some people who could have contributed but couldn't take this kind of heat. Second problem is that the bullying gets emulated down the line. There was nothing quite as absurd as a newly-hired college graduate thinking he could be as smart or rich as billg if he could only manage to be as rude."

That last thought resonates. Many Microsoft partners and even insiders concede that the arrogance—and the BillG wannabe population explosion in the rank-and-file got out of control. This hurt the company itself and annoyed/outraged its "ecosystem" partners. Almost every partner has his or her own outrageous Microsoft product or project manager story with wince-inducing detail.

One silver lining to Microsoft's current Google obsession is there seems to have been an ego adjustment in the ranks. Even the most self-absorbed insider knows now for sure that Microsoft is nowhere near the default go-to company for first-rate talent anymore.

That ain't a bad thing for the company.