Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on one of the most-important lessons her dad taught her: You are never gonna be the daughter of …
Accenture CEO Julie Sweet has credited a conversation with her father during her teenage years as one of the defining moments of her life and career. She shared how a lesson about merit, preparation, and self-belief shaped her outlook on success. Speaking during a recent one-on-one conversation with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on CNN, Sweet recalled losing a speech competition while trying to raise money for college. The experience led to advice from her father that she says has stayed with her for four decades.“I was talking to my dad in my car, and I’m whining because I lost to the daughter of one of the presidents of the lion clubs. My dad looks at me, look, this is 40 years later, and I still remember the car and the look. He said to me, ‘You’re never gonna be the daughter of the president of anything. But I believe you can do anything. But you have to be so much better than everyone else, that they must pick you. And tonight, you weren’t,’” Sweet said.Sweet said her father, who dropped out of high school, served in the Army, and later painted cars for a living, often drove her to speech contests organised by community groups such as the Lions Club and Optimist Club. She explained how her father’s message was both encouraging and challenging. Reflecting on the moment, Sweet described it as a gift that taught her to accept her circumstances while remaining ambitious.“It was, like, such a gift in one conversation. Because he was, like, accept who you are, but you can do anything,” she added. Sweet also noted that the lesson influenced her approach throughout her life and career.“It’s not enough to just dream or say you’re gonna do something you have to do both. And that, I think, has influenced a lot of my life,” she highlighted.Bourla responded by linking Sweet’s story to his own views on ambition. He said, “I have a strong belief. It’s not mine. Our problem in life is not that we aim too high and miss. Our problem in life is that we aim too low and hit. It’s the worst thing that can happen to someone who has ambitions, because it keeps you satisfied, but in a world that is not real. That’s what you reminded me with everything you said.”
Accenture and Pfizer CEOs on switching jobs for a day
When Bourla asked what Sweet would do as CEO of Pfizer, she joked, “In a day, I couldn’t do any damage. So that would be good.” She added that she would use the opportunity to learn more about the company’s scientific work.“I think that I would really get to understand the science piece of it. Which I would love,” Sweet noted.Meanwhile, Bourla said taking over Accenture would remind him of the energy he felt earlier in his career.“Big job,” he said. “I think I will get the drive and excitement that I had in my youth.”
