Don't be Evil

Google has a motto, “Don’t be evil.” When Google was first growing they were concerned about cliques and groups forming with different agendas and the resulting demise that the growth and resulting ‘groups’ would cause the company. They assembled some peeps together from different segments of the company and charged them with coming up with a motto for the company that would ensure they didn’t lose their cohesive culture. “Cohesive Culture” in a company. Hmmm.

The group came up with things like “don’t mistreat people,” “don’t lose focus,” “play hard but keep the puck down (what the heck does that mean?).” At the end of the day, someone said that all the phrases they’d assembled added up to “Don’t be evil.” Voila. Google had their motto.

Don’t be evil. Wow. A motto at one of the largest companies in the world that says, “Don’t be evil.” Remember when corporate mottoes were things such as “The customer is always right” or “Have it your way.” My how times have changed. It’s not about how to act anymore, it’s about how to be. The pressure.

I pictured someone coming into Google’s Human Resources offices and the conversation that ensues.

“You were evil today.”

“I know, I will never be evil again.”

“Two more evils and you are out.”

Always up for a challenge, I spent an entire day yesterday with “Don’t be evil” on my desktop, on a sticky on my office and cell phone, and in my notebook page for the day’s ‘to do.’ It was surrounding me. “Are you normally evil?” I hear you ask. Evil is a strong word, but I am often sarcastic, biting, exasperated, and add them all together and it could be construed as ‘evil.’ Anyway, I spent yesterday going out of my way to leave adjectives behind where someone on the other end might not feel fabulous. I was good to go until noon. Then something happened, and I became the person of biting sarcasm and forceful ‘are you kidding me?’ that is not in the Google motto mold. Looking back over the day, I am not sure it was the right day to practice not being evil. I am going to start over today. I think it could really work today because I have no scheduled calls or appointments.

I’m a Google fan. But, I do have one constructive thought for Google though. (Did you notice how I couched that in a non-evil way?) We are living in a day of positive positioning, so presenting what not to be is not as effective as presenting what you want them to be. A motto that says, “Always be nice” might work even better than the fabulous “Don’t be evil.” Please tell me you noticed how I presented my constructive crticism in a non-evil way. I could have said, “If you guys are so smart you would have known that it’s all about presenting what you want someone to do, not what you don’t want them to do. Sheesh, are you guys idiots?” I only point it out because I had to rewrite the sentence three times for it to come out that nice. I want you to see my efforts.

So, today is a new day, and I’m a new me. No longer an Obama Mini Me, the new goal is to be a Google Mini Me. Wish me luck.