Known for his charismatic demeanor and brash approach to business, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has carved his own path through the worlds of business and technology. The former CEO currently serves his company as executive chairman and chief technology officer, ensuring that no matter how much it grows, he will continue to lead Oracle. He is an industry leader, entrepreneur, and an undeniable firebrand that has shaped the evolution of technology, and he has left us with some notable quotes in his efforts to inspire others.
In a 2001 television interview with Charlie Rose, Ellison said, “When you innovate, you’ve got to be prepared for everyone telling you you’re nuts.” This reflects his conviction that risk-taking is an essential element of innovation.
“If you do everything that everyone else does in business, you’re going to lose,” the maverick stated in a 2016 interview with Fortune. He understands the importance of setting oneself apart in a saturated business world.
Finally, in a 2016 commencement speech at the University of Southern California, Ellison said, “The most important aspect of my personality as far as determining my success goes has been my questioning conventional wisdom, doubting experts, and questioning authority.” The entrepreneur has earned his status as a technology rebel by constantly carving his own path — one that many others have followed.