ENGLISH SPEECH | RISHI & AKSHATA: Trust Your Intuition (English Subtitles)

Summary

In this joint address at Stanford GSB’s 2025 commencement, Rishi Sunak, UK Prime Minister, and Akshata Murthy, businesswoman and philanthropist, share lessons from their personal and professional journeys. From the power of combining data with intuition to the importance of small, practical steps in achieving big dreams, they reflect on leadership, growth, and dharma. Drawing on their shared experiences, including their time at Stanford and their paths to success, they inspire graduates to trust both their values and their analysis, while remaining grounded in their duties. Their story highlights the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and purpose in leadership.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of data: Rishi emphasizes the value of data for making informed decisions, but Asha reminds him that intuition and values also play crucial roles in leadership.
• 😀 Balancing data and intuition: Leaders must learn to combine both data and intuition when making critical decisions, as neither alone can always provide the full answer.
• 😀 The value of idealism and practicality: Asha shares how her idealistic approach to social change was refined by Rishi's focus on practical, actionable steps that bring dreams to life.
• 😀 Small steps matter: Rishi teaches that idealism is important, but it’s the small, detailed, and sometimes unglamorous steps that are necessary for achieving meaningful impact.
• 😀 The role of dharma: Both Rishi and Asha reflect on the Sanskrit concept of dharma, which stresses fulfilling one’s duty without being attached to outcomes or rewards.
• 😀 Resilience through dharma: Dharma provides resilience and clarity, helping individuals stay grounded in times of failure or adversity, without being overwhelmed by ego or distractions.
• 😀 Leadership and failure: Rishi shares a personal story of failure in his political career, demonstrating how setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities and greater clarity in one’s duty.
• 😀 The power of force multipliers: Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking, as they help you become a better version of yourself, even when their views are uncomfortable or annoying.
• 😀 Education’s transformative power: Both Rishi and Asha believe in the power of education to drive social mobility and personal transformation, which is evident in their careers and projects.
• 😀 Taking responsibility: Rishi’s leadership journey shows how taking responsibility, even during tough times, can lead to remarkable opportunities and the chance to make a significant difference in the world.

Q & A

How did Asha and Rishi meet?

Asha and Rishi met at Stanford GSB in the Schwab courtyard. Their connection began at this iconic spot, marking the start of their personal and professional journey together.

What is the significance of data in Rishi's career?

Rishi's deep respect for data and analysis has been crucial in his roles, particularly when he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer. His understanding of data helped him make informed decisions during critical times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

What lesson did Rishi learn from Asha about data?

Rishi learned from Asha that while data is important, it cannot provide all the answers. Intuition, born from experience and values, is also necessary to make decisions, especially in complex situations.

What is the role of 'intuition' in leadership, according to Rishi?

Rishi emphasizes that as a leader, one must learn to listen to their intuition alongside data. Intuition plays a key role when making tough decisions that data alone cannot solve.

How did Asha's idealism change after meeting Rishi?

Asha initially embraced idealism without considering the practical steps needed to achieve her dreams. Rishi helped her realize that big dreams require small, practical steps to turn them into reality.

What is the 'practical idealism' concept?

Practical idealism is the combination of big dreams with the reality of tangible, unglamorous steps. Asha learned from Rishi that for idealism to be effective, it must be grounded in actionable and achievable steps.

How does Rishi view the relationship between idealism and practicality?

Rishi views practicality as a partner to idealism. He believes that idealism without practical steps has no traction, while combining both allows for meaningful and transformational impact.

What personal philosophy influenced Rishi and Asha during challenging times?

Rishi and Asha embraced the concept of dharma, which encourages finding fulfillment in doing one's personal duty rather than focusing on rewards or outcomes. This philosophy guided them through difficult moments, including Rishi's political challenges.

How did Rishi’s experience with dharma shape his approach to politics?

Rishi's commitment to dharma helped him stay grounded and focused on his duty, particularly after his political setback in 2022. It provided clarity and resilience, motivating him to take on the role of Prime Minister when the country needed leadership.

What advice did Rishi and Asha give to the graduating class of 2025?

Rishi and Asha encouraged the class of 2025 to surround themselves with people who challenge their thinking. They emphasized the importance of embracing differences in relationships, as they often lead to growth and personal improvement.