Laracon DB
Laracon DB
Talks for "soft-skills"
Wizards, Lawnmowers, and Hovercrafts

Jack McBain delivers an engaging talk about managing creativity, maintaining perspective, and building authentic products. He discusses how creativity is a renewable resource that needs to be managed carefully, shares insights about avoiding narrow perspectives through an amusing RadioShack anecdote, and emphasizes the importance of authenticity in product development and marketing.

D&D Strategies for Software Excellence

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.

Things I Believe Now That I'm Old

A talk about how to effectively receive, process, and share advice throughout one's career in software development. The speaker, Ross Tuck, shares personal experiences and outlines a 7-step process for handling advice, emphasizing the importance of considering the source, context, and being open to feedback while maintaining personal growth.

Empathy Gives You Superpowers

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.

Impostor Syndrome and Individual Competence

Jessica Rose gives an engaging talk about imposter syndrome, particularly in the tech industry. She explores how it affects different groups, discusses cognitive biases including the Dunning-Kruger effect, and provides practical strategies for dealing with imposter syndrome both personally and when supporting others. The talk emphasizes that feeling like an impostor can actually be a sign that you're skilled enough to recognize the complexity of your field.

Please Understand Me

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.