Four Lessons to Success We Can Learn from Google

It goes without saying that Google is one of the largest, most successful, most highly influential, and most profitable company in the whole world. They are so powerful that their impact on our culture is so massive that it will carry on for generations to come.

Many would assume that it is the awesome technology, massive R&D, or the most advanced operations that give Google the competitive edge. But you would be surprised at what they treasure the most and what they herald to be the strongest point of their success: human resource.

They Look for Creativity

You would already get a clue on this, though, if you watched the movie The Internship starring Vince Vaugn and Owen Wilson. Two middle aged men who found themselves out of work and scrambling to find a new career in a world that they feel has already left them behind. They try to google where they can find a job until Vince Vaugn’s character, Billy McMahon, realizes that they should work at Google.

What transpires is a hearty, wacky, and brilliantly told story of how these two men who felt out of touch with the world were embraced by their obviously younger peers and were hired by Google after their internship was over.

Okay, okay, it’s the movies, you say. You might be thinking that it’s a story that’s too good to be true. However, in real life, Google has been known to think outside the box and apply non-traditional, out of left tactics when it comes to finding their talent and recruiting the right people for their Google family.

Some of the most creative people in the planet aren’t always the smartest, richest, most articulate, most athletic, or most popular. Oftentimes, these are the simple people that don’t usually talk as much, but given the opportunity they will produce such wonderful and innovative ideas that you never thought could come out of them.

This is precisely what Google looks for. And rightfully so. Since Google takes pride in innovation, coming up with never-thought of solutions, and paving the way for newer technologies, it’s just natural for them to look for creativity in a person.

And creativity isn’t always reflected in the diploma or how high the GPA is. Of course these elements help, but having them doesn’t guarantee creativity either. Since creativity is highly encouraged in Google, they look for this trait in their recruits early on. It’s easier to foster creativity that’s innately  there. Creativity is hardly fabricated. It’s intrinsic.

Happiness is a Must

Have you ever worked with people who just suck the life out of you because they are either just so lonely, pessimistic, or lack the drive to do anything productive? This are extremely negative traits that Google avoid. What they do look for is a person who can be happy on their own.

Google has one of the most employee-friendly HR schemes, and this makes for happy employees. However, if a person is negative or ungrateful, no amount of benefit or perk can curb that awful behavior.

Google spares no expense in providing a happy environment that cultivates positive work behavior and fosters collaboration, discovery, and hard work. And it’s usually people who are internally happy and satisfied that perform the best under such positive circumstances.

Google’s System is Transparent

Because of having a flat organizational structure, Google nurtures their employees in a way that encourages them to speak out. This is how innovation is sparked. If you qualm those creative thoughts and voices, you may end up with diligent employees. However, where is the innovation in that?

Google inspires employees to communicate at all levels. This, too, is why their work force is so driven and passionate all the time; they are given the opportunity to voice out. Also, they see that there’s no strong, hierarchical system that poses the danger of stifling their bright ideas.

This is also a trait that Google searches for early on in applicants – the ability to share their thought bravely and with ease, without having the burden of overstepping other people’s boundaries.

Continuous Employee Development is a Priority

For an employee, there’s nothing more exciting than to know that all your hard work has paid off and you are being recognized for it. Google’s major success lies in its system of providing a robust career path for its employees.

At Google, they encourage mobility within the organization. You don’t go on wasting your career away on just one field of discipline or one specific area. It’s best to know how each department and unit works; find one that interests you; learn the ropes, and voila! You can apply laterally or vertically, depending on your skill set and experience.

Whatever the case may be, it’s exciting for an employee to know that there are new and other horizons out there.

Google is indeed a world-class culture. It leads and dictates rather than follows and adapts. All thanks to its strong, innovative workforce that is the bedrock of their very success.