When you think of inspiring leaders in the tech world, Sundar Pichai is a name that almost always comes up. His rise from a modest upbringing in India to leading Google and later Alphabet Inc. feels like the ultimate "anything is possible" story.
But here's the real question: how much of that journey was pure hard work… and how much came down to raw brainpower?
With an estimated IQ in the 145–155 range, Pichai is playing in the same intellectual ballpark as corporate leaders like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
And yet, unlike many other tech CEOs such as Satya Nadella, Sam Altman, Sergey Brin, Patrick Collison, or Elon Musk, Pichai isn't known for being a prolific coder. In fact, he didn't even study computer science.
So, how did he end up running one of the most powerful companies in Silicon Valley?
Could it all be chalked up to his high IQ? Or is there more to success than just scoring well on an intelligence test? And while we're at it, what's the deal with IQ anyway? Does it really tell us who's destined to win at life?
If you've ever pondered on all of these, you're in good company. Sure, IQ scores can shine a light on cognitive strengths. But, as you'll soon see, the story of Pichai's rise reveals that intelligence is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.
So, grab a seat. Let's break down the mix of intelligence, grit, and whatever else it takes to lead one of the planet's most innovative companies.
Who Is Sundar Pichai?
Sundar Pichai currently serves as the CEO of Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc. Google's co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, handpicked him for the role, appointing him CEO of Google in 2015 and later CEO of Alphabet Inc. in 2019.
Under his leadership, Google has evolved far beyond a search engine. The company now leads advancements in artificial intelligence and has grown its market cap to over a trillion dollars, a huge leap that speaks volumes about Pichai's impact.
But long before this global recognition, Sundar's story began in a modest home in Chennai (formerly Madras), Tamil Nadu, India. Born on June 10, 1972, into a Tamil Hindu family, he grew up in a small, two-room apartment.
His father, Regunatha Pichai, was an electrical engineer, and his mother, Lakshmi, worked as a stenographer. Space was tight, and Sundar and his brother slept in the living room, but education was always a priority.
He attended Jawahar Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School in Ashok Nagar and later Vana Vani School at IIT Madras. Sundar demonstrated signs of a sharp intellect and curiosity that remained with him throughout his academic journey.
That memory and aptitude paid off. He earned a bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, graduating with a silver medal—the highest cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in his graduating class.
A scholarship later took him to Stanford University, where he completed a master's degree in materials science and engineering in 1995.
After graduation, Sundar stayed in the U.S., married his college sweetheart Anjali Pichai, and worked briefly at Applied Materials. He later earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He also did a short stint at McKinsey & Company before joining Google in 2004 as a product manager.
At Google, he quickly made his mark. One of his first major wins was the Google Toolbar, which helped Internet Explorer and Firefox users access Google search more easily.
But it didn't stop there. Sundar later played a key role in launching Google Chrome in 2008, a browser that would eventually overtake Internet Explorer itself.
By 2012, he had become senior vice president, and in 2014, Google named him product chief, giving him oversight of Android, Chrome, and more. Known for his low-ego leadership style and calm, diplomatic approach, he navigated company politics with ease, earning respect even in high-stakes executive environments.
So when he was eventually chosen to lead the company, it came as no surprise. To many, his journey seems like the classic "smart guy gets the top job" story.
But was it really just about his IQ?
How Smart Is Sundar Pichai Really?
Do you wonder just how smart you'd need to be to be Google CEO? Well, you won't be the first.
Sundar Pichai's intelligence has been a topic of interest for years and for good reason. Although his exact IQ score has never been publicly confirmed, many estimate it to be around 145.
But what does a 145 IQ actually mean?
An IQ in the 145–155 range puts you in the top 0.1–0.25% of the global population. That's considered the "genius" or "near-genius" level, which is a category typically associated with individuals who excel at solving complex problems, thinking abstractly, and grasping new concepts quickly.
But beyond the numbers, the real question is how that level of intelligence manifests in his life, work, and leadership.
So, how do we know he's truly smart?
One strong indicator is his admission into the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) more than 30 years ago, a feat that remains incredibly competitive even today.
Entry into IIT typically requires academic performance that ranks in the top 0.1% of candidates, which already puts Sundar several standard deviations above average.
Here are other pointers to Sundar Pichai's remarkable intellect:
Sundar Pichai Has Multiple Degrees
He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Metallurgical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, followed by a Master of Science from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
That kind of academic trajectory speaks volumes about his drive and intellect.
He Was Considered for Microsoft's CEO Position
Back in 2014, Pichai was reportedly in the running to become Microsoft's CEO, alongside Satya Nadella. Although Nadella eventually secured the role, it is noteworthy that Pichai was even considered.
He would go on to become CEO of Google and, later, Alphabet Inc. in 2019, after co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin stepped down.
This move positioned him to guide the company through new phases of innovation while staying aligned with Google's company mission.
He Remembers Every Phone Number He Has Ever Dialed
One fun detail often mentioned in Pichai's profiles is his memory. He reportedly remembered every phone number he ever dialed as a child. This is a skill he has had since childhood and one that indicates exceptional cognitive function.
All of these achievements make it easy to chalk his rise up to raw brain power.
But that's not the full story.
Despite his high IQ, Pichai wasn't the best coder at Google. He wasn't even hired for his coding skills. It seems his ascent had less to do with technical genius and more to do with an important yet highly underrated quality—Emotional Intelligence.
What Is Sundar Pichai's Secret (Hint: It's Not Just His IQ)?
When it comes to leadership, intelligence alone isn't always the winning card. A quote from author Hemant Mohapatra captures Sundar Pichai's edge perfectly:
"A famous fact about Sundar Pichai is that he was promoted into the CEO role not because he was the smartest person in the room, but because without him, it was getting very hard to get a group of very smart people to agree on anything."
This perfectly captures the kind of intelligence Pichai brings to the table. He's not just a knowledgeable individual. He's the person who makes collaboration possible among high-IQ individuals.
Very Smart People Still Need EQ
A piece by The Guardian described him as "a passionate nerd, but without any of the sociopathic egotism that plagues Silicon Valley executives." That blend of brilliance and humility has made him one of the most respected leaders in the tech industry.
The secret is emotional intelligence.
According to Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, there's more than one way to be smart. His model includes interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence, both of which overlap with what psychologist Daniel Goleman later popularized as emotional intelligence: the ability to understand, manage, and relate to people.
And Pichai seems to have mastered it. He consistently shows signs of high emotional intelligence.
In a 2021 interview with Inc., the writer noted just how emotionally intelligent Sundar appeared:
"In our brief interaction, I found Pichai to be extremely intelligent and ready to share invaluable experience, yet naturally curious and a great listener. He was humble, gracious, and unassuming: the complete opposite of what you'd expect a stereotypical, high-powered CEO to be."
Even when the interviewer had to reschedule due to a personal emergency, Pichai responded with understanding and grace. These little things matter, and they add up.
Making "Google Dance" — What Microsoft's CEO Had to Say
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, once made headlines when he said, "I want people to know we made Google dance," in reference to their AI push. It was a respectful yet bold way of acknowledging the competition while showing confidence in Microsoft's own strategy.
Interestingly, Nadella and Pichai are often compared, not just because they're both Indian-born CEOs of tech giants, but because they lead with calm authority. Nadella is known to call up new hires to listen, without dominating the conversation.
Pichai's leadership style mirrors this. He's soft-spoken, diplomatic, and famously uninterested in corporate drama. Instead, he focuses on people, strategy, and long-term vision.
Sundar Pichai's success isn't just about being smart. It's about being emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and people-savvy. His journey proves that while IQ may open doors, it's EQ that helps you walk through them—and lead others along the way.
Smart and Human: The EQ-IQ Balance of Great Leaders
Sundar Pichai's journey to becoming one of the most respected tech leaders is proof that success isn't solely about intelligence as measured by IQ. While Pichai's sharp intellect certainly played a part in his success, it's his emotional intelligence that has truly set him apart in the workplace.
His ability to bring together brilliant minds, listen with empathy, and foster a culture of psychological safety has allowed Google to thrive. Under his leadership, the tech giant has gone from maintaining its dominance as the default search engine for many to spearheading advancements in AI and cloud computing.
His story clearly tells us that it's not one or the other—IQ and EQ are equally essential in leadership. Anything short of this will likely deliver diminishing results. As a leader, pay respect to everyone, be empathetic, listen more than you speak, and create an environment that allows others to thrive.
That's how emotionally intelligent leaders inspire trust and lasting impact.
Curious about where you stand on the IQ scale? Take our quick IQ test to gain a better understanding of your own intellectual potential. The results may surprise you and provide valuable insights into how you can leverage your own strengths for success.
