How Jensen Huang’s Early Bird Hustle Turned Nvidia into a $2 Trillion Powerhouse
Staff Editor
2 min read
Running a $2 trillion company is no walk in the park, just ask Jensen Huang, the tech guru behind NVIDIA. The Financial Times recently unveiled a peek into Huang’s daily routine, which kicks off with an early morning workout session before diving headfirst into a whopping 14-hour workday. And if you ask him, the labels of “demanding, perfectionist, not easy to work for” fit him like a glove. Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management, even probed Huang about his work ethic, to which Huang responded, “‘Nicolai, there is hard work and then there’s insanely hard work.”
Despite being at the helm of a tech giant, Huang manages to stay connected with his staff on a personal level. He disclosed in an interview that he surprises people with the amount of time he dedicates to eating in the cafeteria and engaging in various meetings with employees. Huang firmly believes that being the custodian of the company’s culture requires direct interaction with the workforce, rather than constant media appearances. He emphasized the importance of spending time with employees as a means to inspire and empower them, a philosophy he shared with Stanford School of Business.
In a rare glimpse into his leadership philosophy, Huang once revealed his strategy to Stanford University students back in 2003. He stressed the significance of focusing his time on endeavors that promise a lasting impact on the company, even if it means sacrificing sleep. Huang humorously noted that as a CEO, sometimes not sleeping is the preferable option as it magically creates more time. His passion lies in product and strategy planning, areas he finds immensely fulfilling amidst his jam-packed schedule.
Contrary to conventional wisdom among Big Tech CEOs, Huang advocates for a direct managerial approach, encouraging a large number of direct reports to the CEO. He believes that by leading and empowering others, CEOs can steer their organizations towards greatness. Huang’s dedication to his craft shines through in his deliberate choices on where to invest his time within the company, seeking avenues that foster innovation and long-term success.
In a world where high-stakes decisions and relentless workdays define success, Jensen Huang’s approach offers a refreshing perspective on leadership: one that values personal connections, strategic planning, and a touch of humor in navigating the complexities of running a multi-trillion dollar enterprise.
