The presentation introduces the origins and key features of Google’s innovation culture, which permeates the day-to-day activities of employees throughout the organization. Presented at the Innovation Roundtable Summit 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark

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A CATALYST FOR
CONTINUAL INNOVATION
Jeremy Tai Abbett | Google Creative Evangelist | @jeremytai
Google’s Creative Culture
Photo: David Stick/Redux/laif

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Organize the world's
information and make
it universally
accessible
and useful. September 1998

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Larry and Sergey discuss their
Montessori experience
2004

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A Montessori education is
characterized by an emphasis on
independence, freedom within limits,
and respect for a child’s natural
psychological, physical,
and social development.

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People
1

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BEGINNER’S MINDSET
Innovators by nature
Innovators Early Adopters Early Majority Late Majority Laggards

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1 in 428
THREE MILLION
Applications per year
(applicants are hired)
@jeremytai

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GOOGLE HIRING ATTRIBUTES
Four of five…
Cognitive Ability
It’s learning ability,
not I.Q..
The ability to process
on the fly.
The ability to pull
together disparate
bits of information.
Leadership
Emergent leadership
as opposed to
traditional leadership.
When faced with a
problem, at the
appropriate time, the
ability to step in and
lead.
Humility
Being able to create
space for others to
contribute.
Intellectual humility.
(Without humility, you
are unable to learn.)
Ownership
Feeling the sense of
responsibility, the
sense of ownership.
Ability to step in.
Plus, the ability to
step back when done.
@jeremytai

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PLUS, BEING GOOGLEY
The fifth attribute
Be outrageously
clever
Be excellent to
one another
Question
the status quo
Make stuff
happen

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Never doubt that a small group
of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world; indeed, it’s
the only thing that ever has.”
“
- Margaret Mead, Cultural anthropologist
@jeremytai

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Place
2

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Comfort Zone
Where the magic
happens
LOOKING OVER THE EDGE
Uncomfortably excited

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AMSTERDAM SAN BRUNO
TEL AVIV ZURICH

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Calendars are open and sharable
BY DEFAULT

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TGIF
EVERY WEEK

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People Analytics
GOOGLEGEIST SURVEY

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Culture eats strategy
for breakfast.“
“
- Peter Drucker, Management Consultant
@jeremytai

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Projects
3

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ACTIONS OUTCOMES
This is where you tend to focus
@jeremytai@jeremytai

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BELIEFS BEHAVIOR ACTIONS OUTCOMES
This is where you need to focus
@jeremytai@jeremytai

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Audacious
Project
Science
Fiction
@jeremytai

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RATE OF CHANGE
Linear vs. Exponential
You are
here
Disappointment
Chaos/
Amazement

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If you’re not doing some things
that are crazy, then you’re doing
the wrong things.“
“
- Larry Page, Co-founder and CEO, Google
@jeremytai

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THE IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT JOB
IS NEVER TO FIND THE RIGHT ANSWERS,
IT IS TO FIND THE RIGHT QUESTION.
In 5 years…. How will you keep moving forward? What
will you use to empower yourself? What will you use to
empower your company? What will you be proud of?

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IF YOU LIVE
THE QUESTIONS
LIFE WILL MOVE YOU
INTO THE ANSWERS
Thank You. Jeremy Tai Abbett
Creative Evangelist
jabbett@google.com
@jeremytai