- Duolingo runs on data, not opinions
- The CEO trusts metrics over gut feelings
- His team follows suit
The Man Behind the Owl Speaks Up
In a recent episode of “Decoder” podcast, Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn shared insights into his leadership philosophy. The language-learning company’s chief executive emphasized their strong reliance on metrics and A/B testing to drive decision-making, setting his approach apart from traditional founder-mode management.
Numbers Talk, Opinions Walk
Breaking from the recent Silicon Valley debate on founder-mode leadership sparked by Y Combinator’s Paul Graham, von Ahn revealed that his executive team rarely disagrees thanks to their data-driven culture.
However, he maintains final say in situations where data doesn’t provide clear direction.
Dream Team Dynamic
The CEO praised his long-serving leadership team, including VP of Product Management Cem Kansu and Chief Design Officer Ryan Sims.
Their eight-year partnership has fostered strong alignment on company vision, though von Ahn noted that personal opinions ultimately take a back seat to measurable results.
