Ex-Google MD recalls sharing tips with Sundar Pichai at office party. He became CEO 2 years later

Parminder Singh, a former managing director at Google and (right) Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

Parminder Singh, a former managing director at Google and Twitter, has shared an insightful anecdote on X about a chance meeting with Sundar Pichai years before Pichai became Google's CEO. In his post, Singh highlighted the humility and listening skills that defined Pichai as an effective leader.

Recounting a Google office party in Mountain View, California, where he was introduced to "an unassuming person who led the Chrome project." Assuming a shared level of tech expertise, Singh admitted he began offering "modest suggestions" on Chrome notebooks.

'He knew far more than I did'
Singh wrote that at the Google party, the person "listened patiently" to his modest suggestions, even asking follow-up questions, Singh wrote in his post. But, it soon became clear that the Chrome project lead "knew far more than I did — he was simply being gracious."

A few years later, Singh was surprised to learn that the humble individual he had advised was Sundar Pichai, who had just been announced as Google's new CEO. Singh reflected on the experience, concluding, "That's the thing about good leaders — they are great listeners."

'Balance restored' after Lex Fridman podcast
Singh added a humorous "side note" to his recollection: "He listened to my half baked ideas back then. I just finished listening to his super insightful two hour podcast with Lex Fridman. Balance restored, I guess!"

When a user on X inquired about the specific advice he had given, Singh admitted he couldn't recall all the details but thought he had suggested making Chrome notebooks "more fun/playful" for school children and improving language translation tools.