Google CEO Sundar Pichai has a new streamlined definition of “Googleyness,” the long-ambiguous term used to describe the company’s cultural values, during an all-hands meeting last week. The new framework focuses on six key principles aimed at providing clearer guidance for employees.
The redefinition comes as part of efforts to move away from the term’s previously broad interpretation, which had been criticized for potentially fostering workplace homogeneity. According to two Google employees who attended the meeting, Pichai emphasized that the previous definition had become too expansive and required clarification.
The six core principles now defining Googleyness are: “Mission First,” “Make Helpful Things,” “Be Bold & Responsible,” “Stay Scrappy,” “Hustle & Have Fun,” and “Team Google.” This marks a significant shift from the earlier, more abstract interpretation that included concepts like “intellectual humility” and “comfort with ambiguity,” as outlined in former HR head Laszlo Bock’s 2015 book “Work Rules.”
This redefinition follows Google’s 2019 revision of hiring guidelines, which aimed to distinguish between Googleyness and cultural fit. While the concept has been central to Google’s corporate culture since its early days and served as a key metric in hiring decisions, the term’s vague nature had led to inconsistent interpretations across the organization. The 2019 changes were implemented amid growing concerns about workplace diversity and inclusion.
#Google #CEO #Sundar #Pichai #employees #definition #Googleyness #change #Times #India
