In a commencement speech at the California Institute of Technology, Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, narrated a transformative experience that reshaped his approach to life and leadership.
It didn’t come from a mentor or a fellow tech CEO. It came from a gardener he met while traveling internationally.
The Unexpected Mentor
During a family summer in Japan, Jensen Huang visited Kyoto and the Silver Temple with his teenage children. There, amid oppressive heat and humidity, Huang encountered a man meticulously tending to a large garden.
Despite the challenging conditions, the gardener carefully used a bamboo tweezer to maintain the moss, a method that initially perplexed Huang.
“I approached him and asked, ‘What are you doing?’” Huang recounted. The gardener said, ‘I’m picking dead moss. I’m taking care of my garden.’
Puzzled, Huang commented, “But your garden is so big!”
The gardener simply replied, “I have cared for my garden for 25 years. I have plenty of time.”
Their brief interaction left a lasting impact on Huang, who described the gardener’s words as one of his most profound life lessons. He learned the importance of dedication to one’s craft, as the gardener had shown through his lifelong commitment to his garden. This, Huang noted, taught him that focusing deeply on one’s life work provides ample time for what truly matters.
Huang attributes his ability to concentrate on what he values most; employee growth and development, to his wise time management. He described his daily routine, starting each day with his most important tasks, achieving a sense of success before even arriving at work. This approach allows him to dedicate his time to assisting others, reassuring those who interrupt him that he has plenty of time.
“I always say I have plenty of time, and I do!
Since its establishment 31 years ago, NVIDIA has risen to prominence as a major player in the technology industry, powering renowned companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Tesla, and OpenAI.
In the early days, NVIDIA faced numerous challenges that tested its resilience and strategic acumen. CEO Jensen Huang often emphasizes the critical role of identifying and investing in what he terms “zero-billion-dollar markets.”
These are sectors that initially have no existing market or customer base, presenting a unique opportunity for growth and innovation without the immediate threat of competition.
Under his leadership, NVIDIA became one of the world’s few companies to surpass a $3 trillion market cap.
He concluded the speech with a piece of advice that highlighted the importance of perseverance.
“I hope you do find a craft that you want to dedicate your lifetime to perfecting, to hone in the skills of your life’s work,” he said,
“Prioritize your life. There’s so many things going on, there’s so many things to do, but prioritize your life.”
“You will have time,” he added.
Also read: NVIDIA’s Stock Could Hit RM4K, Citing That a New Computer Era Has Begun
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