Nvidia’s current structure stands in contrast to that of most American companies, whose CEOs have only a handful of direct reports. In the 2010s, Jensen had forty executives on his leadership team, or the “e-staff,” each reporting to him. Today the number is more than sixty.6 He has steadfastly refused to change his management philosophy, even when, for example, new board members joined Nvidia and recommended that he hire a chief operating officer to reduce his administrative burden. “No, thanks,” he would always reply. “This is a great way to make sure everybody knows what’s going on,” he
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