Arvind Jain on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Learning from Sundar Pichai
Arvind Jain, the co-founder of cloud data management firm Rubrik and enterprise AI search company Glean, has openly described the feeling of being an imposter after joining Google. Surrounded by colleagues with PhDs from elite institutions like MIT and Stanford, Jain felt the need to decode success by studying his peers.
"I studied colleagues to understand success factors, focusing on Sundar Pichai, then a new product manager."
Jain observed that Pichai’s defining attributes included intensity, hard work, and a remarkable ability to think big while maintaining unwavering confidence. This was perhaps best exemplified by Pichai's championing of Google Chrome at a time when the project was widely considered a bad idea.
Embracing the "Bad Idea"
Jain admitted that his initial instinct was to agree with the consensus: Chrome seemed like a poor idea. However, through watching Pichai, he learned a critical lesson in disregarding normal constraints. He saw firsthand the value of confidence and bold vision, even when the prevailing wisdom says otherwise.
The bet paid off. Google Chrome became the world's most widely used browser, and Sundar Pichai was named CEO of Google in 2015.
Applying the Lessons
Jain successfully applied these lessons at his own ventures. Both Rubrik and Glean have achieved valuations exceeding $5 billion. He also noted that his learning didn't stop with his more senior peers; he continues to gain valuable insights from younger Gen Z hires, highlighting a commitment to continuous growth and adaptability.