From Burnout to Breakthrough: Kotlin Creator on Leadership and Building Android's Top Language

In this deep-dive interview, we explore the extraordinary journey of Andrey Breslav, the visionary creator behind the Kotlin programming language-now Google's preferred choice for Android app development. Learn how he navigated early-career hurdles, mastered leadership challenges, and transformed risk into innovation. Discover how burnout reshaped his path, why therapy became a turning point, and how this experience fueled the creation of Alter, a startup making mental health support more accessible.

Whether you're a software developer, a tech leader, or someone facing career crossroads, this conversation offers practical insights into academic transitions, entrepreneurial mindset shifts, and the delicate balance between mistakes and calculated risk-taking. Explore the subtle art of delegating to prevent burnout, understand the power of seeking references when building teams or choosing investors, and gain valuable tips for integrating into new communities-both professionally and personally.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Introduction: Who is Andrey Breslav
00:03:45 – Early Career & Education: Shifting from Academia to Industry
00:11:03 – The Challenges of Russian Academia & First Exposure to "Normal Science"
00:16:26 – The Letter That Changed Everything
00:18:02 – Can a Successful Scientist Also Be an Entrepreneur?
00:18:50 – Lessons from Microsoft: Titles Don't Equal Competence
00:24:05 – Meritocracy vs. Strict Hierarchy: What Works Best?
00:25:15 – Leadership Insights: Mistakes, Micromanagement, and Growth
00:28:20 – Mistakes vs. Failures: Social Failure & "Cheap" Errors
00:31:50 – Evaluating the Price of a Mistake: Is It Worth It?
00:36:20 – Risk, Reward & Probability: Navigating Entrepreneurial Decisions
00:40:45 – Building Kotlin: Facing Uncertainty & Finding Motivation
00:48:14 – Burnout: Its Causes, Consequences, and Key Prevention Strategies
00:50:12 – Escaping the Micromanagement Trap: Effective Delegation & Team Structures
00:53:20 – Tips to Avoid Burnout: Learning, Balance & Slack Time
00:55:26 – The Role of Therapy: Enhancing Self-Awareness & Overcoming Challenges
01:04:10 – Founding Alter: Making Mental Health Help More Accessible
01:09:15 – Hiring & Investment Secrets: Why Checking References Matters
01:15:00 – Moving to London: Cultural Integration, Community & Opportunity
01:19:00 – Avoiding the Diaspora Bubble: Embracing Diversity Abroad
01:26:04 – Securing a UK Talent Visa: Breslav's Experience & Tips
01:30:17 – Looking Ahead: Career Aspirations, Family, & Future Integration

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