Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has officially become one of the wealthiest tech executives in the world, as he has become a billionaire. Nevertheless, in an interview on the podcast of Lex Fridman, Pichai emphasized that personal growth is not about comfort but about struggles and periods of self-doubt.
Pichai recommended, “Leave your comfort zone.” You will find yourself being surprised. He remembered moments in his career when he felt like he was in the shadow of his colleagues, confessing, “I have had people I worked with, and I felt that they were better than me.” However, rather than backing off, he moved in, which is why he went from being a product manager in 2004 to CEO in 2015.
The message to Gen Z, which is facing a constantly evolving and AI-driven labor market, is simple: do what you love. He said, You are thinking about what you want to do; your brain is telling you something. However, you should listen to your heart and observe whether you like doing it or not.
Although his leadership style is calm, Pichai understands how demanding it is to work at a trillion-dollar company. Sergey Brin, a Google cofounder, recently demanded extended working hours in AI teams, 60 hours per week being optimal. Nevertheless, Pichai prefers compassion to cruelty. He said the best employees are those who understand when they have made a mistake and that excessive reaction may be demotivating instead of motivating.
The new billionaire status of Pichai, with a net worth of $1.1 billion, is way behind cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who are each worth over $160 billion. However, unlike them, Pichai did not found Google; he rose through the ranks with determination, concentration, and modesty.
Pichai and Page are optimistic in an era where young people are confused. In 2009, Page was speaking to college graduates and said, “Find the leverage in the world so that you can be more lazy.” Nevertheless, he also promoted exploration and experimentation: It is a fantastic time in your life to be a little nuts… Never give up on dreams. The world is in need of you all.”
