Kayla Daniels presents her 'Code Manifesto', a framework for creating a more inclusive and respectful developer community. She discusses her experiences as a female developer, shares lessons learned from writing an article about equality in tech, and proposes six core principles including non-discrimination, respecting boundaries, helping others, and handling mistakes constructively.

Jack McDade explores how to make meaningful change through deep work and mentorship. He discusses the challenges of the information age, the importance of focused work without distractions, and how teaching others through mentorship can create exponential impact. The talk emphasizes moving beyond surface-level information consumption to deeper understanding and application, while highlighting the power of small, consistent actions in achieving larger goals.

Jason Fried, co-founder of Basecamp, discusses their unique approach to project management and company culture. He shares insights about their six-week project cycles, asynchronous communication practices, and deliberate approach to growth and decision-making. The talk covers how Basecamp manages projects without traditional management structures, their pricing strategy changes, and their approach to hiring and firing.

Rissa Jackson discusses how playing Dungeons & Dragons can make you a better software developer by developing important skills like communication, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability. She explains how being both a player and dungeon master provides opportunities to practice skills relevant to software development while encouraging developers to pursue diverse hobbies for personal growth.

Kayla Daniels delivers a powerful talk about diversity, equality and inclusion in the tech industry, focusing on the challenges faced by women and minorities. She discusses the 'pipeline problem' of getting diverse candidates into tech, and the 'culture problem' of retaining them. She introduces the Code Manifesto, a set of values aimed at creating a more inclusive tech community, while addressing common issues like imposter syndrome and unconscious bias. The talk emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with respect and making the tech industry more welcoming for all.

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 talk discusses the often challenging relationship between developers and managers in software development, focusing on how to improve this dynamic through better communication, mutual understanding, and shared goals. The speaker shares personal experiences and provides guidance on how developers can become more empowered, collaborate effectively, and deliver value while maintaining professional growth.

The talk focuses on building and managing effective development teams, particularly in the context of scaling from scratch. The speaker shares their experience of building multiple development teams for a major European airport, discussing the importance of culture, values, trust, and continuous learning. They emphasize the value of self-organizing teams, proper tooling, and creating an environment where developers can thrive while maintaining accountability.

The speaker shares experiences from her time as a technical lead at an interactive agency, focusing on how to handle project failures and crises effectively. She discusses two main types of problems - project/people problems and technical issues - using real-world examples from her career. The talk emphasizes the importance of having proper incident response plans, checklists, and shame-free culture when dealing with failures, while also highlighting the value of clear communication and flexibility in project management.

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.