Foundations of Tech Leadership

Wednesday, 9:00 AM EST

Transitioning from an individual contributor to a technical leader requires more than just technical expertise—it demands a new set of leadership skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to empower a team. This half day interactive workshop is designed to help new and aspiring technical leaders build a strong foundation in technical leadership.

We’ll start with the basics: What do Engineering Managers actually do? From there, we’ll explore the principles of purposeful leadership, time management, and prioritization to help leaders stay focused on what truly matters. Participants will learn how to empower their teams, build a strong team vision, and navigate career conversations, coaching, and effective 1:1s to support their team’s growth.

The workshop will also cover strategic leadership and relationship-building, providing insights into how to balance technical execution with long-term planning and cross-functional collaboration. Through interactive exercises, real-world scenarios, and group discussions, attendees will leave with practical frameworks and tools they can immediately apply to their teams.

Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will give you the skills and confidence to lead effectively in a fast-paced technical environment.

Emotional Intelligence for More Effective 1-1s

Thursday, 9:30 AM EST

1-1s are ubiquitous in the software engineering industry, and great leaders cherish these discussions.

What makes 1-1s so valuable?
1-1s are just like any other meeting - they are used to exchange data - be it tactical project updates, personal updates, or perspectives on how a project is going. There is also implicit data exchanged, signals that are interwoven with each word that is spoken. These are our emotions.
Emotions can be felt and observed but can be difficult to interpret and process. Our brains are in overdrive when communicating with other humans as we take in these implicit signals along with the literal words being spoken. During 1-1s, this can intensify as our focus is entirely on the other person; What signals are they sending? How will I respond? What isn’t being said here?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, understand, and manage our emotions to communicate more effectively with others. In this interactive discussion, we will explore how to leverage the four emotional intelligence skills to facilitate more productive and enjoyable 1-1s.

Next Level Software Development

Thursday, 11:00 AM EST

In the ever-evolving landscape of software engineering, the success of a team is not solely determined by the mastery of coding languages or the ability to develop cutting-edge solutions. It also hinges on the presence of an often underestimated yet essential element: psychological safety.

Psychological safety, as coined by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, refers to an environment where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and making mistakes without fear of ridicule or retribution. In the context of software engineering, fostering such an environment can significantly impact team dynamics, productivity, and innovation.

This talk explores the various dimensions of psychological safety within dev teams, emphasizing its role in:

• Innovation and Creativity
• Effective Communication:
• Learning and Growth:
• Retention
• Diversity and Inclusion

Drawing on real-world examples and practical strategies, attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the pivotal role psychological safety plays in software development and the tools to transform their teams into resilient, innovative, and cohesive units.

Removing Perceived Limits

Thursday, 4:00 PM EST

Imposter Syndrome, a pervasive phenomenon affecting individuals across various industries, holds a particularly potent grip within the realm of software engineering. It is characterized by persistent self-doubt and a belief that one's accomplishments are mere flukes, is alarmingly common in the technical engineering community.

This 60 minute talk delves into the profound impact of Imposter Syndrome on software engineering teams, exploring its origins, manifestations, and strategies for fostering healthier, more productive work environment.