Google VP Warns “Lean Team” Culture Can Kill Big Ideas in Tech

Robby Stein, Vice President of Product at Google, has warned that the tech industry’s obsession with “lean” teams—small groups designed for efficiency—may be stifling innovation and long-term success.

Speaking on Lenny’s Podcast, Stein said the culture of glorifying lean operations often leads to underfunded projects and premature shutdowns of promising ideas. While small teams can move fast, he noted that true innovation—especially in AI and large-scale product development—often requires more time, people, and investment.

Stein drew on his experience leading Instagram Stories and his current role at Google, explaining that breakthrough products usually emerge from well-resourced, collaborative teams, not those stretched thin. He encouraged leaders to recognize two critical stages before scaling up: internal conviction, when the team knows they’re onto something special, and external validation, when users confirm the product’s value.

He also highlighted that many startups—and even big tech firms—fall into the trap of staying “too small for too long,” missing opportunities to dominate new markets. Stein argued that scaling responsibly, rather than clinging to the “startup mentality,” is essential for the next wave of transformative innovation.

His comments come amid a broader industry trend of cost-cutting, layoffs, and automation, with many firms promoting “lean” as a virtue. Stein’s message challenges that idea, suggesting that the future of tech may depend on balancing efficiency with ambition.