Kate Wardin is an Engineering Manager at Netflix and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She enjoys exploring the psychology of happiness at work and is passionate about building inclusive and high performing teams via people-first leadership. She believes in the power of humor to bring people together to create a positive and cohesive workplace. In her free time, Kate enjoys unwinding by watching The Office or chasing her toddler and dog.
In the race for faster code and higher output, we often forget that a thriving engineering team isn’t just about numbers - it’s about the people. While performance metrics like speed and output are crucial, they don’t tell the full story. True developer satisfaction and productivity come from a deeper understanding of how team dynamics, leadership, and culture influence work.
In this session, we will dive into the power of leadership development in shaping communication, boosting team morale, and reducing friction. Strong leadership doesn’t just make teams more productive; it creates an atmosphere where engineers feel heard, valued, and motivated.
Join us to discover how enhancing leadership and team culture can transform your team’s productivity without sacrificing their happiness and well-being.
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.
Transitioning from an individual contributor to an Engineering Manager is a pivotal shift that brings both unique challenges and rewarding opportunities. In this talk, I will share key lessons learned from my journey, highlighting my favorite lessons learned along the way.
Through real-world examples, we will explore themes such as communication, fostering team collaboration, and embracing diversity in thought and expertise. I will discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in managing team dynamics and navigating conflicts, as well as strategies for building a culture of trust and innovation.
Join this session for an engaging discussion that aims to inspire current and aspiring Engineering Managers to reflect on their leadership journeys and implement best practices that lead to empowered, high performing teams.
In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, technical expertise alone isn’t enough to lead effectively. The most successful leaders harness the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to build resilient teams, foster innovation, and navigate complex challenges with confidence.
This interactive session will begin with a self-assessment to help attendees gauge their own emotional intelligence. From there, we’ll take a deep dive into the four core domains of EQ; Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management.
Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to strengthen each domain, including techniques for managing stress, improving team communication, and fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety.
Whether you're a Tech Lead, Engineering Manager, or aspiring leader, this session will provide actionable insights to elevate your leadership style and make a lasting impact on your teams and organizations.
In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, technical expertise alone isn’t enough to lead effectively. The most successful leaders harness the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to build resilient teams, foster innovation, and navigate complex challenges with confidence.
This interactive session will begin with a self-assessment to help attendees gauge their own emotional intelligence. From there, we’ll take a deep dive into the four core domains of EQ; Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management.
Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to strengthen each domain, including techniques for managing stress, improving team communication, and fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety.
Whether you're a Tech Lead, Engineering Manager, or aspiring leader, this session will provide actionable insights to elevate your leadership style and make a lasting impact on your teams and organizations.
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.
Delivering feedback is one of the most challenging—and essential—responsibilities of a leader.
At some point, every leader will face a moment when a team member isn’t meeting expectations. How you handle that situation can either drive improvement and trust or create tension and disengagement.
In this session, you’ll learn a straightforward, actionable framework for providing feedback that drives real change. We’ll cover key red flags to watch for, strategies for rapid course correction within development teams, and techniques to navigate difficult conversations with clarity and confidence. You'll walk away with a ready-to-use feedback template tailored to a real-world situation, plus practical examples you can apply immediately.
By the end of this session, you'll be equipped to turn tough conversations into opportunities for growth - both for your team and yourself.
Delivering feedback is one of the most challenging—and essential—responsibilities of a leader.
At some point, every leader will face a moment when a team member isn’t meeting expectations. How you handle that situation can either drive improvement and trust or create tension and disengagement.
In this session, you’ll learn a straightforward, actionable framework for providing feedback that drives real change. We’ll cover key red flags to watch for, strategies for rapid course correction within development teams, and techniques to navigate difficult conversations with clarity and confidence. You'll walk away with a ready-to-use feedback template tailored to a real-world situation, plus practical examples you can apply immediately.
By the end of this session, you'll be equipped to turn tough conversations into opportunities for growth - both for your team and yourself.
Two and a half days of insightful sessions, inspiring ideas, and meeting your peers. Learn the skills and methods that will take your organization to the next level.
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