The Work Revolution Inside Google

By Barry Stern

Part Three: In this third and final video blog series featuring Julie Clow, former Googler and author of the recently published book The Work Revolution: Freedom and Excellence for All, we’ll take two quick peaks behind the Google curtain.  Is it a place where work has indeed been revolutionized, or all hype?  DDI has long taken the position that if one has a dollar to spend on selecting the right person versus attempting to develop what a client might suspect is the wrong person, that dollar is better spent on the selection system.  So, that’s where I started – how does Google get all those great people we hear about?

 

The four elements to which Julie refers Leadership, Analytical Ability, Experience, and Culture Fit, get beyond mere job descriptions and relate to some of the components of what DDI has long termed the “success profile” of job performance. And increasingly, we agree that the notion of Culture Fit  should be a vital front and center part of the selection process. 

But what about once people are on board?  How does the Google environment garner and maintain momentum for the workplace revolution?  I asked Julie if she can share an example of a way in which a Google tool might accelerate the revolution. 

 

Sounds like such a simple tool, but as I began to think about the notion of promoting “peer to peer” vs. “tops down” accountability, I can understand how such an idea can, once enough users participate, be a solid way in which to transform the workplace.

Well, that’s it for my conversation with Julie from our New York City office. Be sure to pick up The Work Revolution… an inspiring, easy, and fun read.  And also please share with us any thoughts you have on ways your workplace is being revolutionized.  We are interested in hearing from you!

Comments

[Sandra]

Tracking what people are doing with "snippets" sounds incredible. I imagine it would inspire co-workers to take more pride in their work. Nice job Barry.