In a leaked internal memo, Google co-founder Larry Page’s successor at Alphabet subsidiary Calico, Dr. Geoffrey Joyce, reportedly shared his views on work ethic with employees in Google’s AI division known as DeepMind. He emphasized the importance of working long hours and compared it to Olympic athletes training rigorously for their sport. Joyce quoted a statement attributed to Elon Mus Tesla CEO: “Techies need to be more like elite sportspeople.” However, he also acknowledged that excessive work could lead to burnout and stressed maintaining balance in life while dedicating oneself fully during working hours.
In the memo obtained by Bloomberg, Joyce highlighted Google co-founder Sergey Brin’s belief in a 100% commitment approach when it comes to achieving goals. He cited examples of successful individuals such as Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs who reportedly invested significant time into their respective fields despite having personal lives outside work. However, he also acknowledged the potential negative effects of overworking, mentioning how both Einstein and Jobs faced challenges due to their intense lifestyles.
Joyce urged employees not to emulate every aspect of these figures’ lives but instead learn from them by understanding what drives their passion for success while ensuring personal well-being. He concluded his message with a quote attributed to American physicist Albert Einstein: “I never took a day off in my life except one, the day I was married.” This statement has been debated among historians as its authenticity remains questionable.
This incident comes amidst growing concerns about work-life balance within tech companies like Google and Apple. In recent years, several high-profile employees have left these organizations due to burnout or mental health issues related to excessive working hours demanded by their employers.\
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