Want to work at this big tech company worth Rs 17,43,000 crore? Get ready for early-morning meetings and midnight work

Lisa Su, the CEO of semiconductor giant Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), has earned a reputation for cultivating a high-performance work culture at the $210 billion (Rs 17,43,000 crore) company. Known for her relentless drive, Su is often seen sending out important memos at midnight and expects her team to engage in detailed discussions of these documents during early-morning meetings. This demanding leadership style is part of her broader approach to transforming AMD into a major player in the tech industry, a feat that earned her the title of Time’s CEO of the Year for 2024.

Su's management approach may not be for everyone. Patrick Moorhead, a tech industry analyst and former AMD executive, emphasized that individuals who fail to meet the company's rigorous standards often struggle to thrive. In an interview with Time, he remarked that Su's hard-charging leadership style requires full commitment, and those who don't deliver are unlikely to succeed in her team.

A Demanding Culture Fueled by Ambition

Under Su's leadership, AMD has become one of the most successful semiconductor companies, expanding its market capitalization dramatically. Her approach is driven by ambitious goals and a clear belief in pushing boundaries. She often stresses that people are motivated by big targets, saying, “People are really motivated by ambitious goals. The previous strategy of, 'Hey, let’s just do a little bit better here and there' — that’s actually less motivational.”

Su's dedication to excellence goes beyond just setting high standards for her team. She personally reviews prototype chips as soon as they arrive from the factory, displaying a keen attention to detail. Her ability to juggle high-level strategy while staying involved in the minutiae of product development has earned her respect within the company and the tech industry as a whole.

Lisa Su's Path to Leadership

Su's journey to the top of AMD is as impressive as her leadership style. Born in Taiwan, she immigrated to the United States at the age of three. Raised in New York City, Su was exposed to the world of technology early, and her curiosity in math and programming blossomed at a young age. Her father, a graduate student in mathematics, further fueled her interest in engineering through rigorous sessions at the dinner table.

After excelling in her studies in the Bronx, Su pursued a degree in electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she completed both her master's and Ph.D. Over the course of her career, she worked at Texas Instruments and IBM, gaining valuable experience before joining AMD in 2012 as a Senior Vice President. Just two years later, she made history by becoming the first female CEO of the company.

Su credits much of her success to the diverse roles she took on early in her career. Reflecting on this, she told Time, “I was really lucky early in my career. Every two years, I did a different thing.” Her broad experience allowed her to navigate complex challenges and lead AMD through a period of remarkable growth.

As CEO, Su has been instrumental in AMD's rise to prominence, helping the company compete head-to-head with industry giants like Intel and Nvidia. Under her leadership, AMD’s stock price has surged nearly 50-fold, a clear testament to her strategic vision and execution.

While some may find her work style daunting, Su believes that leadership is not an inherent trait but a skill that can be developed. “I don’t believe leaders are born. I believe leaders are trained,” she stated.