1. Leadership Begins With Listening
One of the most valuable lessons Murali learned was that effective leaders don't rush to provide solutions. He recalled being puzzled when his managers would simply listen as he described a problem. Over time, he realised that talking through a challenge
often helped him find the answer himself. The best leaders gave him the space and trust to think independently. Now, as a manager, he tries to give his own team that same room to grow, understanding that listening is a more powerful tool than just giving orders.
2. Stay Curious and Share Knowledge
Murali’s career saw him move from Google's early payments pilot in India to compliance in Dublin and then to ads policy in California. This was only possible because of a commitment to continuous learning. But just as important as learning is sharing. He emphasizes that knowledge is the only resource that multiplies when you give it away. In a rapidly evolving company like Google, this principle of sharing expertise helps scale solutions and build stronger, more capable teams across the board.
3. Lead by Example, Not From Behind
True leadership isn't about delegating from a distance. Murali believes in pushing teams to their limits, but never asking them to do something he wouldn't do himself. He has always aimed to lead from the front, whether it was designing Google's first risk models or building new compliance systems from scratch. This hands-on approach builds trust and shows a team that their leader is in the trenches with them, sharing the challenges and working towards the same goal. It creates a culture of mutual respect and shared effort.
4. Lead With Empathy
In a high-pressure environment, it’s easy to forget that colleagues have lives and challenges outside of work. Murali stresses the importance of empathy, advising leaders not to pass their own pressures onto their teams. He advocates for assuming good intent and recognizing that everyone is dealing with things you might not be able to see. This compassionate approach to leadership fosters psychological safety and creates a more supportive and resilient work environment where people feel understood and valued beyond their output.
5. Develop Resilience and Disagree Respectfully
In any large organisation, differing opinions are inevitable and necessary for progress. Murali’s advice is to “grow thick skin” but to always handle disagreements with respect. He notes that respect is not optional, even when you agree to disagree. This resilience is crucial for navigating corporate structures, where projects and priorities are constantly debated. Being able to champion an idea, accept feedback, and respect other perspectives without taking it personally is a key marker of professional maturity and effectiveness.
6. Embrace and Love the Change
Murali notes that during his 20 years at Google, something changed every single year—from products and problems to leadership styles. The people who thrived were the ones who welcomed it. His own career is a testament to this, moving between ads, payments, security, and compliance. Rather than viewing change as a disruption, he sees it as an opportunity for growth and a chance to learn something new. This adaptability has been the defining feature of his long and successful tenure.
