Julie Sweet on Defying Self-Doubt and Rising to the Top at Accenture

Most professionals, when presented with a role that feels overwhelming, hesitate and question their readiness. Julie Sweet, now the CEO of Accenture, believes that response is a mistake.

In a conversation on Fortune’s Titans and Disruptors of Industry podcast with Alyson Shontel, she described the pivotal moment when her career took an unexpected turn.

In 2014, just weeks before receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, Sweet was finishing a meeting with then-CEO Pierre Nanterme. At the close of the discussion, he surprised her with the words: “I think you could run this place someday.”

At the time, Sweet was Accenture’s general counsel. Her background was in law, not business management, and she did not resemble the typical candidate for the role of chief executive.

She had not spent her whole career within the company, and every leader before her had been male. Nanterme himself acknowledged that she would likely need to take on another role before such a significant leap.

Refusing to Let Doubt Take Over

Instead of retreating into hesitation, Sweet remembered advice from Dina Dublon, the former CFO of JPMorgan Chase. Dublon had once said that when someone offers you a stretch opportunity, never respond by asking, “Are you sure?” Those extending such offers are often as uncertain as the recipient.

With that thought in mind, Sweet looked at Nanterme and simply replied, “Yes, I’d be interested. What did you have in mind?” That moment opened the path that first led her to run Accenture’s North America business in 2015 and eventually positioned her as CEO in 2019.

Confidence in the Workplace

Sweet believes confidence should not be limited to defining moments. She expects the same quality every day from Accenture’s 770,000 employees, alongside humility and excellence.

“We are constantly challenging each other and our assumptions,” she explained. “When you build a team that thinks that the status quo is challenging assumptions, embracing change, it means you’re constantly questioning. You don’t need to stop and have a big strategy… because you’re always working on the strategy.”

For her, confidence also includes the courage to admit when answers are not readily available. Sweet describes asking for help as one of her “superpowers.” She also insists that leadership should be approached with the mindset of a student, not just an authority figure.

“I think the idea of being a deep learner at the top is really critical, and that is not usual in a lot of companies,” she added. Too often, senior leaders believe their experience makes them the ultimate source of wisdom, leaving little room for growth.

Lessons from Early Career at Accenture

Her perspective was shaped by her early days in Accenture’s legal department. Lacking a strong technical background, she quickly recognised that to be effective, she needed to understand the business thoroughly.

That approach distinguished her from others in similar roles. She believes that “transparency builds trust. Because the more value you can contribute [to] your company, the more likely you’re going to get that best next job.”

The CEO Offer

In her interview with Fortune, Sweet reflected on the surreal experience of being considered for the top job at Accenture while serving as general counsel.

Although she did not fit the conventional profile, her ability to lead, combined with her history of working across different environments, helped shape her path. Nanterme himself suggested she should first lead another division before eventually running the company.

Sweet highlighted that such opportunities often arrive unexpectedly. At that critical moment, she avoided self-doubt by recalling Dublon’s advice and chose to respond with confidence. “I looked at him and I said—with Dina in my head—why, yes, I’d be interested. What did you have in mind?”

That decisive response set her on the course toward becoming Accenture’s CEO in 2019.

The Broader Lesson on Confidence

Sweet’s story offers a lesson for anyone facing intimidating career opportunities: confidence is not only about accepting big roles but also about how one approaches everyday challenges.

She insists that constantly questioning assumptions, embracing change, and having the courage to ask for help are essential for success.

“I figured out pretty quickly that if I wanted to be the business leader with legal experience, I had to deeply understand the business,” Sweet said.

Her journey underscores the importance of seizing opportunities without hesitation and combining confidence with humility, transparency, and a commitment to learning.