Google Labs has a unique way of recognizing its top performers: surprise appreciation meetings that employees initially mistake for bad news. Josh Woodward, vice president of Google Labs, the Gemini app, and AI Studio, described these sessions as a kind of "secret society" ritual during a recent episode of "Lenny's Podcast." The meetings involve multiple leaders gathering to tell an employee why they are valued, often catching the staff member off guard.
Woodward called the sessions "pretty fun" and noted that employees are regularly surprised to learn the meetings are positive. He starts each one by reassuring the employee, "This is not a bad meeting. This is a good meeting." These surprise recognitions are part of Google Labs' efforts to celebrate the often unnoticed work behind its AI products.
The team also has a tradition of handing out quirky awards to employees. The "TPU harvester" award, which includes a miniature rake from Etsy and a cash reward, goes to staffers who optimize Google's AI chips. Employees who fix small product flaws receive a golden Band-Aid, while those who find innovative ways to push AI models earn the title of "LLM whisperer" along with a giant set of ears and a mechanical keyboard.
Woodward explained that these unusual rewards are meant to encode value in "dorky symbols" that hold meaning for the team. The awards and meetings are part of a broader effort to acknowledge the often overlooked contributions of employees who work behind the scenes.