Google CEO: If you want career growth, look for people who are smarter than you

"Try to get into an environment where you work with people who push you to expand your capabilities. That's what contributes most to growth," Pichai said in an episode. Lex Fridman Podcast.

Even at the beginning of his career (as an engineer at Applied Materials, a consultant at McKinsey, and since 2004 at Google), he often worked with colleagues who surpassed him in knowledge and skills. "Those 'Wow!' moments, when you realize someone is stronger than you, are simply necessary for everyone at the start," he added.

The effectiveness of this recommendation is confirmed by research Northwestern University, which showed that even simply sitting in the office within an 8-meter radius of a high-performing employee can increase your own productivity by 15%. Observing more productive colleagues helps to adopt their skills and work habits.