Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to students at Cambridge University: Strategy is not just about choosing what to do, it is …
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently shared some insights on leadership, vision and sacrifice during a talk held at Cambridge Union Debating Center. During the talk he emphasised that the true strategy is not only about deciding what to pursue but it is also about the discipline of knowing and understanding what to leave behind. Reflecting on his early Nvidia days, Huang said that he could see the evolution of the company in his head long before to materialised and became a reality. “Manifest your belief as deeply as you can,” he told students, explaining how conviction helped him stay committed when the startup faced uncertainty. He stressed that Nvidia’s success was rooted in unshakable principles: “We believe what we believe.”
Huang further noted that while his team worked on the assumptions of the firm, he constantly tested them. “Every single day, I gut check the assumptions I made,” he said, adding that course corrections were made only when necessary, without being swayed by outside pressures.
Adaptability and innovation
Huang also stressed on the importance of adaptability in the journey of entrepreneurship. “I am constantly learning through failure,” he admitted, urging students to remain flexible when pursuing ambitious goals. He also highlighted Nvidia’s role in creating new industries, pointing to the invention of the GPU and CUDA accelerated computing, which he described as sparking the AI industrial revolution.
The burden of a CEO
Talking about the realities of leadership, Huang explained that being a CEO is a “a lifetime of sacrifice” in service of the company. “Strategy is not just about choosing what to do. It’s about choosing what not to do, which is sacrifice, and the determination, the conviction, the pain and suffering that goes along with overcoming obstacles,” he said.
Dismissing the notion of fame and glory, Huang emphasised that on the importance of creating conditions for others to achieve their life’s work. “You’re inspiring through example,” he told the audience.
Honoured with Hawking Fellowship
Ahead of the discussion, Huang was honoured with Professor Stephen Hawking Fellowship Award. The prestigious award recognises the contributions of individuals in the field of science and technology.
Huang further noted that while his team worked on the assumptions of the firm, he constantly tested them. “Every single day, I gut check the assumptions I made,” he said, adding that course corrections were made only when necessary, without being swayed by outside pressures.
Adaptability and innovation
Huang also stressed on the importance of adaptability in the journey of entrepreneurship. “I am constantly learning through failure,” he admitted, urging students to remain flexible when pursuing ambitious goals. He also highlighted Nvidia’s role in creating new industries, pointing to the invention of the GPU and CUDA accelerated computing, which he described as sparking the AI industrial revolution.
The burden of a CEO
Talking about the realities of leadership, Huang explained that being a CEO is a “a lifetime of sacrifice” in service of the company. “Strategy is not just about choosing what to do. It’s about choosing what not to do, which is sacrifice, and the determination, the conviction, the pain and suffering that goes along with overcoming obstacles,” he said.
Dismissing the notion of fame and glory, Huang emphasised that on the importance of creating conditions for others to achieve their life’s work. “You’re inspiring through example,” he told the audience.
Honoured with Hawking Fellowship
Ahead of the discussion, Huang was honoured with Professor Stephen Hawking Fellowship Award. The prestigious award recognises the contributions of individuals in the field of science and technology.
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