I Worked at Google for 14 Years — Here's What I Had to Unlearn When I Started My Own Company I've discovered that the transition from "Big Tech" to "Baby Tech" is not for the faint-hearted.

I spent 14 years at Google and YouTube — long enough to watch those companies go from scrappy upstarts to careful giants. I always prided myself on being quick to act and adapt, but by the end of my time in Big Tech, these traits weren't always seen as positive. We typically spent months, even years, building out commercialization strategies — getting customer feedback and buy-in across the organization before executing. Often, managers told me to slow down.

So when I left Big Tech in 2021 to found my software company, Digiphy, I thought I was ready. In retrospect, I had no idea. I knew startups moved fast, but I didn't realize how fast. At Google, my "move fast" mentality still allowed for strategic deliberations and data-driven decisions over several months. As a startup, you operate on limited funds and tight timelines. I had to accelerate my pace and embrace even quicker decision-making with significantly less data and more immediate stakes.

Related: The Art of the Pivot — 6 Steps to Reengineer Yourself for a Career Change

In the past year, for example, we pivoted our go-to-market strategy three times. This process was stressful for everyone, and frustration began to mount on my team. As I put my foot to the pedal, some team members weren't comfortable with the new speed of operations.

As a leader, I was faced with the painful realization that I might not be able to bring everyone along on the journey.

When people think about moving from Big Tech to startups, they often think about leaving behind the gourmet meals and free massages. I missed all that stuff too. But I've learned that the biggest challenges are less visible. Startup survival requires unlearning all the habits and best practices of corporate life: methodical thinking, long timelines, cautious movements, and revered work-life balance. Instead, you rely on a new set of operating tools. Years at a large corporation are equivalent to months at a startup. It's all about getting things done quickly and efficiently. I now say that "80% is the new 100%." Just aim for 80% perfection and move on. Get something to market, test it, and see if it works.

I've also learned that many of my past accomplishments are history. In Big Tech, people can build and wield reputations over long periods of time. In startups, you speak through action alone. Investors may be impressed by what I achieved at Google, but my customers and my team are not — nor should they be! What matters is what I can deliver, and how quickly. Startups measure output, not legacy.

Related: Should You Work at a Startup or a Big Company? How to Navigate Your Career Path.

Hiring is different too. In Big Tech, you find skilled people who fit the company culture. In startups, those things matter — but I'm equally interested in people's willingness to hustle and to live with imperfections, knowing they can be corrected later. This was the hardest lesson I learned when revising our go-to-market strategy three times; some of my early hires didn't have the metabolism we needed, and I needed to let them go.

Not everyone is built for this, and that's fine. Employment at a big company has many benefits, like more stability and a better work-life balance. But if you feel stagnant in your corporate job, or if recent layoffs prompted you to evaluate your next career step, then I'd recommend at least exploring startups. You don't need to have the perfect idea or commit forever. Even a few years in this dynamic environment can provide unparalleled experience and perspective. While the risks are high, the rewards — personal growth, the thrill of innovation, and the potential for impact—are immense. It's about trading certainty for opportunity, and discovering just how much you can achieve—even if it's only 80% of what you hoped for.