Googler shares why workplace culture trumps rich company benefits: ‘You have to grow’ | Today’s news
Google has set the gold standard for corporate perks—legendary free buffets, naps, sprawling, futuristic campuses, and more. However, according to one company insider, Google’s ultimate benefit in the workplace can’t be found in a coffee shop or a lucrative benefits package.
In a recent viral Instagram video, a Googler named Hema revealed that the most rewarding part of her job is completely intangible: the people and the highly collaborative environment.
“The best part is the people”
“Everyone thinks working at Google is about free food and great benefits. But you know what’s really the best part? It’s the people,” Hema said in the video.
She explained that being surrounded by sharp but humble colleagues creates an environment where employees are constantly learning and growing without feeling left behind.
This seamless teamwork, she noted, applies to everything from the implementation of large corporate projects to the organization of elaborate gala performances.
Drawing on the popular saying that a person is the average of the five people they spend the most time with, Hema emphasized the inevitable personal growth that comes from such an ecosystem. “When you’re surrounded by people like that, you have to grow,” she said.
She also offered words of encouragement to professionals striving for success. “Anyone grinding, just work hard, trust the process and build an environment that inspires you because then it will be worth every second.”
Her remarks underscore a broader corporate reality: a supportive workplace culture and inspiring colleagues often leave a much deeper impact on employee satisfaction than flashy perks.
“The smartest people I know, and also somehow the most humble. 🤍 That’s my favorite part of working at Google,” she wrote in the caption.
Netizens react
The video quickly caught the attention of social media users, many of whom agreed that a supportive workplace culture is paramount to professional growth.
“The people you work with really shape your growth,” agreed one user in the comments section.
Another pointed to the wider impact of healthy team dynamics, stating, “A good work environment makes such a difference.”
Echoing Hema’s views on constant learning, a third user wrote: “Being surrounded by smart people pushes you to grow.”
Summing up the prevailing mood online, another commenter concluded: “Great colleagues can be the greatest asset in the workplace.”
