When you think of Lisa Su, the current CEO of AMD, one word comes to mind: visionary. Under her leadership, the chipmaker has seen a remarkable resurgence, with a stock price that has more than tripled since she took the reins in 2014. But few know the story behind Su’s journey to the top, and the advice that helped shape her leadership style and career decisions. In a recent interview, Su revealed the piece of career advice she received as a young engineer at IBM that went on to have a lasting impact on her life.
Early Days at IBM
Su joined IBM as a young engineer, eager to learn and grow in the technology industry. However, she soon found herself avoiding difficult challenges, opting instead to focus on smaller, more manageable tasks. That was until she met an IBM executive who would change her perspective forever. ‘I was always trying to avoid the tough problems,’ Su said. ‘And this executive, who was a mentor to me, said, ‘You can’t just take the easy route. You have to take on the tough problems. That’s where the learning is.’
Su took these words of wisdom to heart and began to take on more challenging projects. She credits this executive with teaching her that the toughest problems often yield the greatest rewards. ‘I was so focused on avoiding failure that I was missing out on the opportunity to learn and grow,’ Su said. ‘This experience taught me to be more fearless and to take risks.’ The impact was immediate, and Su soon found herself excelling in her role and taking on more responsibility within the company.
The Power of Courage
So, what does this advice have to do with Su’s success at AMD? The answer lies in her willingness to take risks and face challenges head-on. When she became CEO, Su faced a company struggling to regain its footing in a rapidly changing market. But instead of playing it safe, she chose to tackle the toughest problems first. ‘I knew that if we didn’t fix our product roadmap and our manufacturing process, we would never be able to compete,’ Su said. ‘So, I made the decision to take on those challenges head-on, and it paid off.’ The result was a series of game-changing product launches and a stock price that more than tripled.
Su’s experience is a testament to the power of courage and a willingness to face challenges head-on. In an industry where failure is a constant companion, Su’s story serves as a reminder that it’s often the toughest problems that yield the greatest rewards.
A Leader’s Legacy
As Su looks back on her journey, she is quick to credit her IBM executive mentor for teaching her the value of taking risks and facing challenges head-on. ‘That advice has stayed with me throughout my career,’ Su said. ‘And it’s something that I continue to pass on to my team today.’ Su’s leadership style is built on a foundation of courage, resilience, and a willingness to learn from failure. And it’s this legacy that will continue to shape the future of AMD for years to come.
Today, Su is widely regarded as one of the most visionary leaders in the technology industry. And while her journey to the top was not without its challenges, it’s clear that the advice she received at IBM played a significant role in shaping her leadership style and career decisions. As Su continues to lead AMD into a bright and uncertain future, one thing is certain: the company will benefit from her courage, resilience, and willingness to take risks.
