A talk about the 'curse of knowledge' in software development and technical communication. The speaker discusses how experienced developers often assume others have the same level of understanding, leading to poor documentation and unhelpful responses to questions. She emphasizes the importance of being kind and clear when helping beginners, avoiding technical jargon, and acknowledging that learning to code is difficult.

Matt Stauffer gives an in-depth talk about the importance of empathy in software development and how it can make you a better developer, colleague, and person. He explains that empathy is not just an innate trait but a skill that can be learned and developed, discussing how it impacts everything from code quality to team dynamics to open source contributions. The talk emphasizes practical ways to develop empathy and how it leads to better understanding of users, clients, and fellow developers.

The speaker shares their experience developing a new approach to user stories at Allegro Networks, a networking company. They describe how they evolved from traditional user story formats to using comics and visual storytelling to make requirements more engaging and understandable. The approach helped communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and improved engagement with project documentation.

Dave Hicking discusses how developers can move beyond being just 'order takers' to become effective problem solvers by fostering psychological safety, encouraging curiosity, and building a collaborative culture. He emphasizes the importance of asking questions, challenging assumptions respectfully, and taking ownership of work while maintaining a shared understanding of goals. The talk explores how both individuals and organizations can create an environment where creative problem-solving thrives.