Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

How to be more innovative | Sam Schillace (Microsoft deputy CTO, creator of Google Docs)

Jan 11, 2024

01:27:50

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Sam Schillace, Deputy CTO at Microsoft and creator of Google Docs, discusses the journey of building Google Docs, the importance of embracing failure and taking risks, the significance of disruptive innovation, trade-offs between Google Docs and Microsoft Excel, the early days of Ajax, and the value of playing with technology.

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Quick takeaways

Undervaluing things you're good at can lead to missing out on valuable and fulfilling work.

Embracing failure and taking risks is crucial for personal and professional growth.

The focus on simplicity, convenience, and collaboration played a significant role in the success of Google Docs.

The future of document technology envisions more dynamic and immersive experiences, with conversational and adaptive features.

Deep dives

The Value of Doing What You Enjoy

The speaker emphasizes that people tend to undervalue things they're good at and think work has to be unpleasant. They suggest doing the thing you enjoy, even if it feels easy and fun, because it can be valuable and fulfilling. The key is to do it to the best of your ability and with dedication.

Achieving Extraordinary Returns in Your Career

01:25

Embracing Disruption with First Principles Thinking

01:50

Emphasizing the End User Value Proposition

00:31

Importance of asking 'what if' questions

01:24

Introduction

4min

The History of the Oldest Google Doc

2min

The Significance of Disruptive Innovation

23min

Innovation and Trade-offs: Google Docs vs Microsoft Excel

15min

Exploring the Early Days of Ajax and the Value of Playing with Technology

5min

Embracing Failure and Taking Risks

29min

Taking Initiative and Recommended Books

2min

Exploring New Ideas and the Ford Mustang Mach-E

9min

Sam Schillace is deputy CTO and corporate vice president at Microsoft. Prior to working at Microsoft, Sam started a company called Writely, which was acquired by Google and became the foundation of what today is Google Docs. While at Google, Sam helped lead many of Google’s consumer products, including Gmail, Blogger, PageCreator, Picasa, Reader, Groups, and more recently Maps and Google Automotive Services. Sam was also a principal investor at Google Ventures, has founded six startups, and was the SVP of engineering at Box through their IPO. In this episode, we discuss:

• The journey of building Google Docs

• The importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and finding joy in your work

• The importance of asking “what if” questions vs. “why not”

• Why convenience always wins

• How, and why, Sam stays optimistic

• Inside Microsoft’s culture

• Why you should solve problems without asking for permission

• Early-career advice

• Why “pixels are free” and “bots are docs”

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Find the full transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-be-more-innovative-sam-schillace

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Where to find Sam Schillace:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schillace/

• Newsletter: https://sundaylettersfromsam.substack.com/

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Where to find Lenny:

• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

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