Nvidia CEO works 14 hours a day, communication with his employees top priority
Huang’s workday begins at 6 a.m.after he wakes up and exercises. He then embarks on a gruelling 14-hour workday, often working through holidays and weekends. Despite the long hours, Huang finds his work relaxing and loves what he does. He believes that struggle and pain are character-building and necessary for achieving greatness.
Unlike many Big Tech CEOs, Huang prioritises communication with his employees. He frequently eats in the company cafeteria to connect with staff and has 60 direct reports. Huang encourages open communication across the company, asking employees to send him the top five things on their minds. He believes this approach helps with problem-solving and empowers people by giving them equal access to information.
Huang & Nvidia’s journey from bankruptcy to $2 trillion dollars
Huang’s leadership style has been instrumental in Nvidia’s success. The company nearly went bankrupt in the late 1990s, a memory that Huang says is hard to shake off. However, under his guidance, Nvidia has become a significant player in the tech industry, with a surge in stock driven by the demand for its chips for AI applications.
Despite his success, Huang remains humble and driven. He wakes up “worried and concerned” each day and is known for his high standards and demanding nature. Huang believes CEOs should have the most direct reports in an organisation, as they can help lead others to greatness and inspire and empower people.
To manage his time effectively, Huang sometimes clears his calendar to focus on areas he believes will have a long-lasting influence on the company, such as product and strategy planning. He also acknowledges that, as a CEO, not sleeping is often a good choice to free up time.
Huang’s dedication and leadership have made Nvidia a tech giant and earned him a spot as the 20th richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $73 billion.
