Michael Bolin: His Keys to Success at Google and Meta

Michael Bolin's Tips for Succeeding in Big Tech

Michael Bolin, currently a member of OpenAI, recently shared his advice for succeeding in the big tech sector. Before joining OpenAI, Bolin gained valuable experience working at giants like Meta and Google. According to him, following his recommendations would significantly increase the chances of success in this competitive field.

Step 1: Discover What You Love to Do

The first step Bolin proposes is deeply introspective: it’s about discovering what you truly love to do. He emphasizes the importance of total honesty with oneself while exploring new possibilities. Bolin recalls a "heroic quest" he undertook at Google, where he thought he could solve a complex problem that other engineers had failed to overcome. However, he describes this experience as "embarrassing," as it was driven by ego rather than genuine passion.

He ultimately realized that the real issue was that he didn’t actually enjoy the work he was doing. "I am capable of doing many things, but there is a smaller subset of tasks that I truly enjoy," he confided.

Step 2: Identify What is Truly Valuable to Your Employer

The second step is to identify what is truly valuable to your employer. Bolin uses his experience at Google to illustrate this point. He admits that he was engaging in activities that excited him but were not aligned with Google’s strategic priorities, such as AdWords.

Step 3: Find the Intersection Between Your Interests and Those of Your Employer

The final step is to find the intersection between your personal interests and your employer's needs, and then fully invest in that space. Bolin acknowledges that this intersection may not exist in your current job, which he refers to as a "challenge." To achieve this balance, it may be necessary to seek opportunities elsewhere.

These steps are applicable regardless of the company you work for. It’s about understanding what you desire, what your employer values, and living at the intersection of these two aspects. "The more you can do that, the more successful you will be," concludes Bolin.