From Inc · · 50s
CEO Direct Reports: Huang vs Amodei
How many direct reports a CEO has shapes their focus and accountability.
In brief
How many direct reports a CEO has shapes their focus and accountability. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has one direct report, while Nvidia's Jensen Huang has 60, showing different leadership styles for startups. Originally reported by Inc.
Amodei's one direct report
Dario Amodei, Anthropic CEO, has exactly one direct report, calling it 'incredibly freeing'.
“It’s incredibly freeing”
Huang's 60 direct reports
Nvidia's Jensen Huang has around 60 direct reports, while Satya Nadella has about 16 and Sundar Pichai about 18.
The Huang model
Huang's model ensures accountability by having all problems reach him directly.
“We present a problem, and all of us attack it”
The Amodei model
Amodei's model focuses on strategic picture but requires trust in fewer direct reports.
“It’s very hard to pay attention to the strategic picture if there’s, like, a zillion things you have to handle tomorrow”
The founder's answer
Most founders start with Huang's model until 20 people, then move to Amodei's model as they find trusted leaders.
The bottom line
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has one direct report, while Nvidia's Jensen Huang has 60, showing different leadership styles for startups.
