20 January 2025

Goodbye, Google!

To those whom I crossed paths with during my tenure at Google:

Of all the blessings working at Google has bestowed upon me, the most significant, undoubtedly, has been the people I've met: my team members, a few managers, many colleagues, and especially the developers and tech entrepreneurs which give the developer community its life. Today, I want to share some news with all of you.

As some of you know, recent years have presented me with challenges in the form of leadership choices and management practices beyond my control. I've worked hard to improve and fix things around me, and to adapt when they didn’t go my way. But I also know my limits, including on the health front, and the writing has been on the wall. Still, Google has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, but I must now recognise when it is time to conclude my career at Google.

The coming weeks will be my last at Google. I will keep using Google products, of course, but I will no longer test them ahead of public release as I enjoyed doing. I can't wait to see what Google will come up with in the realms of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drug discovery, self-driving transportation, and numerous other areas.

This is a bittersweet moment, because I will miss everything Google has given me. But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself among the most fortunate people on this planet. I cultivated a talent for coaching and leading people of all backgrounds, for motivating them by infusing kindness into firmness and straightforwardness. Witnessing their growth over years, even decades, has been immensely gratifying. I have managed more than 100 people over 18 years, interviewed 400 candidates, and 98% of the entire workforce joined after I did.

I would like to especially thank Nelson Mattos, who was the best manager I've ever had and whom I continue serving in his NGO work at Karimu. I had the chance to observe his leadership style up close, which I still take lessons from more than a decade later. He has provided me with the best opportunities in a lifetime, which have allowed me to find my calling, instead of merely being a jack-of-all-trades.

I also want to thank my team members, past and present, for their journey with me and for creating wonderful memories along the way. I hope you have learned as much from me as I have from you. Keep being kind, and make your surroundings a better place – little else matters.

I want to sincerely thank the thousands of developers, whom I've met at large-scale conferences which we organised in 40 different countries or whom I've met online in video interviews and event talks. You have inspired me with your endeavours to better the world, and in sharing knowledge, especially through open source projects. You were appreciative of my time, although I was the lucky one to interact with you and be infected by your passion for technology. My plan is to continue serving you in the future.

I want to thank my numerous colleagues and external collaborators for countless productive and enlightening meetings, exhausting but necessary hiring and promotion committees, and for the interesting summits of all kinds.

I want to particularly thank the facilities staff – janitors, cooks, handymen, receptionists – who invisibly ensured we had the world’s best office environment. You were so good that you made the office feel like a second home.

I would also like to thank those who didn't value me. Despite disagreements, I always strived to do the right thing and never compromised on ethics. I undoubtedly erred in my approaches at times, and I apologise for any hurt caused. I will reflect on those situations to become a better person, and to enhance my persuasion skills and my ability to change others.

The last 18 years at Google have been an incredible odyssey. While it sometimes feels like it went by in a heartbeat, it has also been so intense that it seems as if I've already lived a full lifetime. It seldom felt like work. Every day felt like the first. I have gone through exhilarating ups and depressing downs, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive. Through my work, I have met many wonderful people who will remain friends for life.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, to everyone around the world who has helped me get to where I am today.

Ce n'est qu'un au revoir !
Till we meet again!

Sebastian

PS: it’s no coincidence that I publish this on the day my first name is celebrated.

PPS: thanks to Roger Federer for the inspiration, to people close to me for having read early drafts, and to Gemini for minor tweaks.

PPPS: thank you to all of you who took the time to read this on LinkedIn.