Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Will Push Employees To Their Limits, But Is Reluctant To Let Them Go – 'I'll Torture Them Into Greatness'

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has taken a unique approach to leadership, favoring relentless dedication over termination. In a recent interview, Huang clarified that while he demands a lot from his employees, he's not quick to fire anyone. Instead, he opts to “torture them into greatness,” a strategy he says has propelled Nvidia to the forefront of the tech industry.

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Huang believes that his tough love, making employees work every day of the week and sometimes staying as late as 2 a.m., sets Nvidia apart. “When you fire somebody,” Huang said, “you are informing him, ‘It was not your mistake’ or ‘I’m the one who made the mistake.’ But I truly believe people can change. They need to learn.” He drew upon his humble beginnings and said, “I used to clean bathrooms, and now I’m the CEO. If I can learn and grow, so can others.”

The 61-year-old CEO, who is worth $111 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, underscored his commitment to personal development. “I am constantly learning from the 60 people reporting directly to me,” Huang said. He added that this drive for continuous improvement is why he refuses to give up on his employees. “It's tongue in cheek, but people know I'd rather push them to be great than see them fail.”

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Huang likened his management style to that of a dedicated coach. “Coaches who believe in their team push them hard because they know their potential,” he said. “Sometimes, people are so close to accomplishing something great. I just don’t want to see them give up when they’re right on the edge.”

Despite the intense work environment, which some employees have described as a “pressure cooker,” Nvidia workers stick around. The lure? Generous stock compensation packages have made many long-term employees multimillionaires. The company’s stock has gained over 3,700% since 2019, making those who stayed there very wealthy.

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Despite the long hours and sometimes incendiary meeting atmosphere, Nvidia’s workforce is very stable. Last year, it lost only 5.3% of its workers, and the turnover rate fell further when Nvidia’s market capitalization briefly blew past $1 trillion. This compares to an average annual turnover rate in the chip industry of 17.7%.

Recently, a group of current and former Nvidia employees spoke to Bloomberg News and acknowledged the tough conditions and the reasons they stayed. “Yes, it’s tough, but the rewards are worth it,” said one employee.

To Huang, the formula is simple: Challenge people, take them to the limit, but never give up on them. And they will help you build one of the most valuable companies in the world.

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