A Day in the Life of Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO

Morning Routines

Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, starts his day between 6:30 and 7 a.m., which is a fairly normal wake-up time compared to some of his tech industry peers. However, what sets Pichai apart is his morning routine. Unlike many executives who rely on digital news sources, Pichai reaches for a print copy of the Wall Street Journal to read the latest business news and updates.

After his morning news perusal, Pichai enjoys a simple but nutritious breakfast of an omelet. This meal provides him with a balance of nutrients, including choline, tryptophan, vitamin B12, and iron, which help reduce anxiety, aid sleep, and support overall health. Pichai also maintains the "very English habit" of drinking a cup of tea, a legacy of India's colonization by the British.

Pichai does not start his day with a workout, preferring to ease into his morning with his newspaper and tea. He then selects a casual but put-together outfit, often described as "Banana Republic dad" style, and heads to the office.

A Typical Day at Work

Unlike some CEOs who have strict meeting schedules, Pichai is always ready to attend necessary meetings. In fact, he sometimes takes meetings on the go, wandering away to think through a problem and then returning with a solution for the team to discuss. This habit of pacing and listening before speaking is a reflection of Pichai's leadership style, which is widely praised by his employees.

Pichai's meeting style is just one aspect of his management approach. Former Google employee Martine Huffed, who worked under Pichai in the Android department, described him as a "great operator" who can assemble the right team and make things happen. While Pichai may not be as audacious as some other tech leaders, he is known for his product vision and attention to detail.

This can be seen in some of the new features and technologies Pichai has discussed, such as improvements to the Google search bar, the development of the Lambda AI language model, and Google's work on quantum computing with the Sycamore project. Pichai and his team are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the tech industry.

Pichai's office space is described as clean and minimalist, helping him to stay focused and avoid distractions. This approach is similar to that of other tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, who limits his wardrobe choices to reduce the number of decisions he has to make each day.

When it comes to lunch, Pichai maintains a vegetarian diet, which aligns with his compassion for animals. However, he does indulge in the occasional omelet, which contains the unborn young of chickens.

Evening Routine

At the end of the workday, Pichai heads straight home, making it a rule not to bring work with him. Unlike many wealthy CEOs, Pichai's home is described as a "modest" 10,000-square-foot mansion on 3 acres of land in Los Altos Hills, California. The house features an infinity pool and other luxurious amenities, but Pichai seems content with this level of comfort.

In the evenings, Pichai enjoys some of his favorite recreational activities, such as playing cricket and soccer. He also makes it a priority to tuck his two children into bed every night, a promise he made to himself back in 2015. Pichai values his family time and strives to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

As the CEO of one of the most powerful companies in the world, Sundar Pichai has managed to maintain a relatively simple and grounded lifestyle. His morning routine, work habits, and evening activities reflect a leader who is focused, compassionate, and dedicated to both his professional and personal life. It's no wonder Pichai is widely respected and admired within the tech industry and beyond.