• The New York Times, Thursday, November 10, 2011 12:18 PM

At a critical time for Google, The New York Times profiles its founder and recently reappointed CEO, Larry Page. What do we learn? That Page is equal parts impatient and time-starved; not afraid to hack fat; and on “an urgent mission to pull Google through a midlife crisis that threatens to knock it off its perch as the coolest company in Silicon Valley.”

As Page himself recently told analysts: “Ever since taking over as C.E.O., I have focused much of my energy on increasing Google’s velocity and execution, and we’re beginning to see results.” As the NYT notes, however, critics question whether such a hasty management style is stifling Google’s creative culture. “Naysayers fret that in his rush to refocus the company, and especially in ending projects, he risks squelching Google’s trademark innovation,” The newspaper writes.

At least one employee confided: Page is “going to lose some people at the end of the day.” On the right track or not, what does Page consider the greatest threat the Google? “Google,” he said at a conference recently. By that, Page was referring to the company’s massive size, and, by extension, its lack of dexterity.

Read the whole story at The New York Times »