How to become global leaders? Rishi Sunak-Akshata Murty share their mantra as couple returns to Stanford 19 years later

Time of India

5 hours ago

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty returned to Stanford Graduate School of Business 19 years after meeting there as students, this time to deliver a joint commencement address. Drawing from their personal and professional journeys—from Stanford to Downing Street—they shared three key leadership lessons: balancing data with intuition, combining idealism with practical action, and focusing on purpose over outcomes, inspired by the idea of dharma.
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Lesson One: Balancing Data with Instinct
Lesson Two: Marrying Idealism with Pragmatism
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Lesson Three: Leading Without Attachment to Outcomes
A Call to Future Leaders
Nearly two decades after they first met at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty returned to deliver a joint commencement address—marking a rare moment in the school's history. The couple, now at the intersection of politics, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship, used the platform not only to reflect on their journey but to offer candid lessons on leadership drawn from their personal and professional lives.Rishi Sunak, a former UK Chancellor and now the country's Prime Minister, began by acknowledging his deep-rooted belief in data and analysis—a trait that helped him navigate many high-pressure roles. He recalled how his understanding of statistical models, sharpened at Stanford, played a key role during the early days of the Omicron variant when he was tasked with making tough decisions about potential lockdowns.Yet, Sunak admitted that numbers alone weren't enough. He credited Akshata Murty with helping him see the limits of relying solely on spreadsheets. She encouraged him to value intuition and experience—especially in moments where data offered no clear answers. This combination, he said, allowed him to confidently push back against another lockdown, trusting not just models but also judgment shaped by values and context.Akshata Murty, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, spoke of her upbringing in India, where she was inspired to drive social change. At Stanford, her idealism often stood apart until she met Sunak, whose focus on implementation grounded her vision. She realized that transformation doesn't happen from dreams alone—it requires unglamorous, practical steps.This mindset shaped her initiatives like 'Lessons at 10,' a program to educate and inspire youth during their time at 10 Downing Street, and the 'Richmond Project,' which aims to build financial literacy among young people. Her message: lofty goals gain real-world impact only when tied to focused execution.Together, the couple emphasized a shared principle drawn from the Indian philosophy of dharma—doing one's duty without being attached to the result. They spoke about embracing this mindset during challenging times, including Sunak's initial defeat in his bid to lead the Conservative Party. That failure, though painful, allowed him to reconnect with his family before duty called again just weeks later.Akshata reminded him during that pivotal moment that stepping up was not about ambition but responsibility. That nudge helped Sunak return to Downing Street—not as a victor seeking reward, but as a leader answering a call.The couple ended with a message to the Class of 2025: true leadership isn't defined by titles, but by learning from those around you. They urged graduates to seek out 'force multipliers'—people who challenge and sharpen one's thinking—and to respect the differences that shape stronger ideas.As the first GSB couple to deliver a commencement address, and the first Stanford graduates to live at 10 Downing Street, Sunak and Murty expressed hope they won't be the last. 'The world needs leaders like you,' they told the graduates, urging them to go forward and shape a better future through wisdom, courage, and humility.