Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty Deliver Stanford Commencement Speech

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty returned to Stanford Graduate School of Business, their alma mater, to deliver the commencement speech to the Class of 2025. The couple, who met at Stanford 19 years ago, shared three key lessons they have learned together.

Key Takeaways

• Embracing Dharma: Sunak and Murty emphasized the importance of Dharma, a Sanskrit concept that means finding fulfillment in doing one’s personal duty without attachment to outcomes. They credited this principle for guiding their actions in life and helping them navigate challenging situations.
• Balancing Ambition and Duty: Sunak shared how Akshata reminded him of his duty to serve as Prime Minister during a time of crisis, despite the odds being against him. This sense of duty, rather than pure ambition, drove his decision-making.
• Resilience and Clarity: Murty highlighted that embracing Dharma provides the resilience and clarity needed to overcome obstacles without losing one’s way or being consumed by ego. She emphasized that this approach enables individuals to achieve more than they thought possible.

A Message to Graduates
The couple urged graduates to seek out “force multipliers” – people who challenge and sharpen one’s thinking – and to respect differences that lead to stronger ideas. They expressed hope that their story would inspire future leaders to make a positive impact.

Reflection on Their Journey
Sunak and Murty fondly recalled their time at Stanford, including their early morning breakfast meetings at Arbuckle café, where they would discuss their future aspirations. They also shared humorous anecdotes, such as Sunak’s love for Cold Stone ice cream, even at 11 am.