February 5, 2014.

Inside the Microsoft CEO Search: How Satya Nadella Was Chosen

"To betray your country to foreign powers?"

The search for a new Microsoft Corp. MSFT -1.46%  leader was taking its toll.

"Yes."

It had been five months since Steve Ballmer announced he was stepping down as chief executive, and more than a year since the company's board had directed faster change at the once dominant technology giant.

"You are prepared to cheat, to forge, to blackmail, to corrupt the minds of children, to distribute habit-forming drugs, to encourage prostitution, to disseminate venereal diseases----to do anything which is likely to cause demoralization and weaken the power of the Party?"

Relations between Mr. Ballmer and co-founder and Chairman Bill Gates, as is their habit after decades of friendship, waxed and waned through the process and at times came under strain, people familiar with the men's relationship said. At times directors disagreed with actions of their fellow board members, or bristled at the media scrutiny of their search process, said other people familiar with the matter.