Thanks Susan. I owe quite a bit to you. Many individuals do. I’m considering largely about your fantastic household proper now, however I did wish to share two of my favourite reminiscences. If somebody have been going to ask about my time with you at Google, I’d inform these tales.
The primary got here in the beginning if you pulled me into your AdSense product org. You may keep in mind that I’d all the time needed to do advertising at Google however began out on the enterprise aspect of the home for a 12 months or so (a lot to the preliminary bruising of ego and fairness). After having confirmed myself, the chance arose to switch into Product Advertising and I used to be nearly to do it if you interceded. I knew who you have been after all however this may need been our first 1:1.
“Be a part of product,” you stated. And I thanked you for the supply however let that I used to be fairly enthusiastic about advertising. You leaned in a bit and stated,
“Hunter, there are 3 ways issues occur at Google. What Larry, Sergey and Eric need. What I need. And what You need. The primary two need you to develop into a PM.”
Momentarily paused by this Godfather-style supply I couldn’t refuse, you then relaxed and stated a bit extra collaboratively, “Look, I spoke with Jonathan [Rosenberg] and are available do product, and for those who don’t prefer it, switch into product advertising then. However Product is basically the place you wish to be at a spot like Google.”
And also you was proper. For the following three years you served as my supervisor, then skip-level supervisor as we grew.
The second reminiscence was extra of a coda. It was in the direction of the top of 2006 after a really robust 12 months engaged on Google Video. It wasn’t simply that we have been failing, it was that we have been failing due to Google’s politics, personalities, and blind spots. On prime of that my promotion packet was denied, leaving me, in my thoughts considerably under-leveled. My supervisor let me know that everybody was nonetheless very excessive on me however I wanted a ‘win’ earlier than getting superior. And shared that in lieu of the title change you’d accredited a bonus.
I instantly booked a 1:1 slot with you and stated “I don’t need your cash, I need your time. Inform me the place I can do higher. Give me suggestions. This firm is throwing off money however your time is extra worthwhile to me.” You stated you understood and some months later supported my switch to YouTube the place I spent the remainder of my Google profession. You all the time believed in YouTube, years earlier than you joined us as CEO (I used to be already gone). Thanks in your advocacy and assist, even when many on Google’s govt group wavered. For an additional six years you gave me precisely what I’d hoped for – your time.
At the moment we all know your time was much more treasured than any of us may have imagined.
Thanks Susan. You’re missed and beloved.
