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Jensen Huang: “To be CEO is a lifetime of sacrifice”

November 17, 2025

“Most people think that [being CEO] is about leading, being in command, and being on top,” Nvidia founder Jensen Huang begins. “But none of that is true.”

Jensen explains:

“You’re in service of the company. You’re creating conditions for other people to do their life’s work. You’re inspiring through example. Most of the examples are making difficult decisions during very difficult times. It’s mostly about sacrifice. It’s also about strategy. And strategy is not just about choosing what to do. It’s about choosing what not to do — which is sacrifice.”

He continues:

“The determination, conviction, pain, and suffering that goes along with overcoming obstacles is all sacrifice. I’m not trying to talk anybody out of the profession — if you are to do it, it’s the greatest honor. But you have to realize that it’s not about fame and glory. It’s mostly about pain and suffering.”