GSK CEO: "There are few things more obnoxious than CEOs complaining about how hard their life is"

GSK CEO Emma Walmsley told the Fortune MPW Summit that she finds it "obnoxious" when CEOs complain about how hard their life is.

Transcript

00:00First of all, I think there are a few things more obnoxious in life

00:03than CEOs complaining about how hard their life is.

00:08Fair enough.

00:13You know, I didn't grow up thinking I would get even half a chance at this.

00:18And it is such a privilege.

00:22And as I said at the beginning of your first question,

00:24you just hope that in the time that you are given the responsibility

00:29to do something like this,

00:31you make it better than it was when you started

00:35and you hope the person that follows you makes it better again

00:38and that you are equipping them to accelerate.

00:43I think what's true, and I'm sure those in the room who have served as CEOs

00:47or who aspire to that, is if you have a chance to do it,

00:53I'd run at it with full and brave hearts

00:57and the biggest dreams you possibly can for impact.

01:01But I would do it eyes wide open

01:03because to your question, I mean, I think you have to be prepared

01:09for the things you don't get to do if you want to do this job.