My 20 Year Googleversary

Later this week will mark my 20 year work anniversary at Google .

I reference my Google tenure often as I'm extremely proud to have been part of this amazing company not only early on, but for such an interesting and extended time. Here are some reflections of this journey (these are my own thoughts and not necessarily endorsed by the company):

- This company's intentions are like no other. Google? wants to make the world a better place. It truly wants to do good. Yes, it also wants to make money, but that is not priority number one. The genius of the company is that it can balance doing good and being helpful to almost every individual in the world with making money not just for itself, but for millions of other entities!

- Google?is not perfect, but critics often drown out (or don't believe) the above. There's a handful of facets over the years that I've been frustrated about, yet, I've always been grounded by Google's intentions to do good and impact on the world. My very small role in this brings me a sense of pride.

- I feel extremely fortunate that I truly believe in what I'm asked to do in my role(s). For 20 years, my job has been to grow advertisers’ spend with Google. Those I've worked with can validate that I truly believe that 98%+ of advertisers we work with are fiscally irresponsible for not spending more with Google, as it offers an accountable return on investment. Measurement is not always a direct equation, but there's usually an opportunity to improve and advertisers business results through Google ad products. Not every advertiser agrees -- but I believe it -- which again -- I feel very fortunate for.

- I've had various roles in various organizations within Google. There were moments when I felt stuck, yet I continue to find my way. The lesson has been that learning, growing, and experiencing new challenges is what leads to career progression. There are very few examples where so many new and interesting career opportunities exist within one company.? That is?why after 20 years, I genuinely do not feel like I'm nearing the end. Perhaps I am only at the halfway mark...

- As a leader of people, I've learned a lot of lessons during both the ups and downs. My intention as a leader has always been is to add value to the team - both as individuals and as a business. "Radical candor" is something I'm well known for. This is not universally effective - and I constantly am learning how to improve on assessing those situations. I am not perfect.? My hope is that anyone I engage with (regardless of seniority) understands that my intentions are purely to try and play my part in making Google the best possible company it can be. I'm truly a "company man" and will be until I turn in my badge.

- I have found the best attributes of co-workers is to be "self motivation and genuine curiosity."?People who are interested in solving the hard problems and making an impact! You can almost always figure out how to tie these solution projects back to your manager’s goals and objectives.? Also - being interested in "the why" and "how to innovate/make something better" are amazing attributes of corporate professionals. In my experience - this makes the business better.

- The quality of people who work at Google has been written about often on this platform. I feel lucky to have spent almost my entire career to date surrounded by the intellect, drive, and passion of the people who work here. I'm sure it exists in other places, but I'm grateful for the culture and work society that I am part of.

Now to some silly stuff....

• I was roughly Google employee 2000 and Google NYC employee 100. This puts me in the 99.9 percentile of tenure among active employees.
• I started in 2003 which was pre-IPO. We went public in 2004, but I often tell people that you never would have known it in the office. I do not recall anything lavish or feeling any kind of "we did it" culture. I did work with a bunch of people at that time who could retire some years later. No - I didn't make enough money to retire (#1 question I get).
• I interviewed 18 people over a 6 month period of time to land my initial job at Google. I will shout out Anthony DiMarco (who I have not spoken to in 15 years) and David Scacco who hired me to join Google 20 years ago. For those first few years I sat 10 feet away from Tim Armstrong, and I got to witness his charismatic leadership and inspiration.
• My role was eliminated in 2009 and I was given 4 months to find a new job, which I did in becoming a manager for the first time. I got to extend my time working with/under John McAteer which lasted 12 years in total. Having my role eliminated was an amazing lesson that I still talk about today. Also, as I reflect back, I must fully admit that in year one I was not a great manager.
• For the first 12 years at Google -- I was a "retail expert". Being an expert in one thing for so long (among other things) made it difficult to elevate my standing as I desired. Thanks to Jeff Montgomery and Yong Su Kim - I took on a new role in a new org and for the next 6 years I became a "lead gen expert"? At first, it was uncomfortable to be experiencing the new org and remit, but that just meant that I was learning and growing!? I have since become solely focused on this - which has led me to my current team, where I am attempting to become an “App Expert.”? Thank you to Mary Ellen Coe and Lowell Doppelt for this opportunity - and to Wendy MacGregor for the constant support on that decision/journey .
• I've made amazing, lifelong relationships in the last 20 years. ? While I want to shout out to many people (20 years is a long time!) -- I'll just say -- I really do hope that YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. I’m here for you forever. Thank you!??

Here's to another 20 years. Thank you Google, Googlers, and partners for making a job feel like much more than a career.