What is Googleyness? Google CEO Sundar Pichai finally explains what it means for the company

sundar pichai

The term "Googleyness" has always been a bit unclear, but now, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has cleared things up. During a recent all-hands meeting, Pichai explained what being "Googley" really means for the company’s employees, saying it had become too broad over time and needed a clearer definition, as per Business Insider.

So, what does it take to be Googley? According to Pichai, the new definition includes:

–Mission First
–Make Helpful Things
–Be Bold & Responsible
–Stay Scrappy
–Hustle & Have Fun
–Team Google

These points are meant to focus Googlers on working together, being bold in their ideas, and enjoying the process while creating useful products.

This is not the first time Google has tried to define "Googleyness." In his 2015 book Work Rules, Google’s former HR head, Laszlo Bock, talked about it in terms of being humble, having fun, and being okay with uncertainty. But in 2019, the company adjusted its hiring guidelines to make sure "Googleyness" wasn’t confused with "culture fit," a move to boost workplace diversity.

With these updated values, Google is making it clear that Googleyness is about more than just fun—it’s about working with purpose, being bold, and supporting the team. So, if you want to work at Google, you’ll need to bring your best ideas and a positive, team-first attitude.