Steve Ballmer started at Microsoft as Bill Gates’s assistant in 1980, when he was employee number 30. He later went on to become its CEO at the height of the DOT com bubble. His unmatched energy and passion for all things ​​Microsoft was on full display at his infamous product launches.

Unfortunately for Ballmer, Microsoft’s stock price did not match that energy. He announced his retirement in 2013, after losing billions of dollars in acquisitions and on the Surface tablet. Microsoft's stock price rebounded on the news, in part contributing to the billions he ultimately made in Microsoft employee stock options - enough to buy the Los Angeles Clippers.

You can now find the 67-year-old mostly courtside, rooting for his team. As leader of the Clippers, Ballmer says: "Tone gets set at the top. We're hardcore, we're going to win. We're about maximizing our chance to win championships."

Ballmer is also focused on government transparency through his non-profit, USA-Facts.

Ballmer talks with Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi about how to be a good listener as a leader.

"People want to be acknowledged for what they said, to make sure, you know, paraphrase back to them so they know you heard them. That's, that's one. And part of that then becomes when I think people don't understand something they just haven't had it thought through. I'll explain it then," Ballmer said.

For the full conversation with Ballmer, click here. For more of our Lead This Way series, click here, and tune in to Yahoo Finance every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

Video Transcript

BRIAN SOZZI: What would you say has been your biggest challenge as a leader through the years?

STEVE BALLMER: I think of myself as a good listener because I hear everything. People don't think I'm a good listener because I don't acknowledge what they've said. I process it, but I don't acknowledge. People want to be acknowledged for what they said to make sure you know. Paraphrase back to them, so they know you heard them. That's one.

And part of that then becomes when I think people don't understand something, they just haven't had it thought through, I'll explain it. Then some people get a little defensive, so I'll explain it again and again and again. And it can feel painful to people, which I don't think is all that helpful. I continue to make those mistakes. I'm aware of them now. But I still have room to improve.

BRIAN SOZZI: Thank you for listening to me. I appreciate it. I really do.