Masters of Scale YouTube's Susan Wojcicki: How to find – and keep – true north
Oct 6, 2020
Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube and a pivotal figure in Google’s rise, shares her insights on scaling rapidly while staying true to core values. She discusses the evolution of YouTube into a video-sharing giant and the importance of clear guiding principles amidst growth challenges. Wojcicki recounts the early days of Google, emphasizing user experience over revenue, and touches on innovative employee initiatives like 'Lobatical.' Finally, she explores YouTube's role in democratizing information and navigating the complexities of content management.
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Google's Garage
- Susan Wojcicki rented out her garage to Sergey Brin and Larry Page in 1998.
- This garage became Google's first office, housing its initial seven employees.
Refrigerator mishap
- Google's early days in Susan's garage weren't without their quirks.
- Sergey and Larry once mistakenly installed Susan's new refrigerator in their workspace.
Follow Your True North
- When scaling a company without a clear roadmap, rely on your founding principles.
- Google's focus on improving search, their "true north", guided their early decisions.