13 life-lessons from being a Googler and an Entrepreneur

What Google taught me about growth, impact, and playing the long game...

Jul 25, 2025

I still remember the day I got the verbal offer from Google.

My wife and I were walking our pup, Cyrus, around the streets of Brentwood, Tennessee—a quiet suburb near Nashville—when the recruiter called.

To be honest, getting the interview itself felt like a long shot.

But landing the offer?

That was surreal.

I froze for a few seconds after hearing the words “We’d like to make you an offer.” Then I came back to earth and tried to sound composed.

That moment changed the course of my life.

I spent nearly five years at Google, learned from some of the smartest minds on the planet, grew faster than I ever imagined—and then, one day, it all ended. (That’s a story for another time.)

Now, with 15+ years in corporate, including Google, and three years into my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve had some time to reflect.

Here are 13 truths I wish someone had told me at 25:

1. Technical skill gets you a job. Soft skill builds you a career.

At Google, being smart was the baseline. Everyone could “do the job.” What separates high performers? Communication. Influence. Emotional intelligence. Soft skills weren’t a bonus—they were the multiplier.

2. If you don’t drive your career, someone else will.

Don’t expect your manager to map your growth. The people who moved up fast were intentional. They asked for stretch projects. They built visibility. They made moves before they had to.

3. There’s no such thing as job security.

Even at Google, no role is “safe.” Reorgs happen. Priorities shift. Entire teams disappear. Security isn’t in the brand—it’s in how fast you can adapt, learn, and land on your feet.

4. Optimize for learning new skills.

Each project I took on either taught me something new or deepened my edge. Don’t just optimize for money or title—optimize for learning. Your future self will thank you.

5. Choose impact over title.

The title looks good on LinkedIn. Impact builds legacy. The people who got ahead made things happen, regardless of their title. If your work creates value, recognition follows.

6. A great boss can make or break your career.

I’ve had both amazing and damaging managers. The best ones protected my time, pushed me to grow, and gave me the credit I deserved. The worst ones? Micromanaged and crushed my confidence. Choose wisely.

7. Loyalty has zero returns.

I used to think “sticking it out” mattered. It doesn’t. Companies won’t hesitate to cut costs—you shouldn’t hesitate to cut losses. Stay as long as it serves you. Not a day more.

8. Reputation trumps resume.

At Google, people didn’t care where you went to school. They cared about how you showed up. Your reputation, built through action, will travel further than your credentials ever will.

9. Discomfort signals growth.

The hardest meetings? The most brutal feedback? The roles that scared me? That’s where I grew most. Growth is rarely comfortable. If it feels too easy, you’re probably coasting.

10. Network before you need anything.

Some of the best opportunities in my life came through weak ties I nurtured years ago. Build relationships before you’re looking. Offer value. Stay in touch. Play the long game.

11. Careers are rarely linear.

I’ve taken sideways moves, risky bets, and even step-backs. Every one of them taught me something. Your next big leap may not be “up”—it may be “different.”

12. You can never please everyone.

Trying to keep everyone happy is a fast path to burnout. Focus on being respected, not liked. Do the right thing, even when it’s hard. You’ll sleep better & lead better.

13. Balance is a myth.

There’s no perfect equilibrium. What works is seasons, not balance. Push hard sometimes. Recover hard afterward. Know your non-negotiables. And don’t confuse busy with fulfilled.