I watched Jensen Huang speak 9 days before his resignation. Two things stand out now.
Jensen Huang's management style helped build Nvidia. After his exit, a conference appearance raises fresh questions about its future.
TL;DR
- Jensen Huang resigned as Nvidia CEO nine days after a conference appearance.
- At the conference, Huang wore a dark fabric zip-up instead of his usual leather jacket.
- Huang explained his management style involved 60 direct reports, designed for information flow rather than hierarchy.
- He admitted he didn't know what leadership structure would best suit the AI age.
- Huang's departure presents a succession challenge due to the lack of an obvious deputy among his 60 direct reports.
- Nvidia's project-based organization with executive freedom is presented as a potential strength for adaptation.
- Huang's closing remarks at the conference were described as poignant in hindsight.