Transitioning from a hands-on Pythonista to a leadership role is a journey filled with challenges, and like debugging code, it requires identifying, isolating, and fixing problems. In this talk, I’ll share eight key lessons from my journey from Data Scientist to Co-Founder of a small software company, framed as Python errors.

From battling imposter syndrome (ValueError: self-worth not defined), to learning to delegate (DeadlockError: unable to release control), and avoiding burnout (RuntimeError: system overload), this talk offers actionable advice for anyone navigating the leap from technical contributor to technical leader.

Expect a mix of humour, relatable stories, and hard-won lessons as we explore how debugging leadership challenges is just as rewarding (and occasionally frustrating) as debugging code. Whether you’re considering a leadership role or already on the journey, this session will leave you with practical insights to navigate common pitfalls and approach a leadership transition with a clearer understanding of what to expect.