Socially Engineering Your Pathway to a Better Team
Slides and Video
Presented at Abstractions 2019, Techorama Netherlands 2019, BSides Chicago 2019, Sunshine PHP 2020, Chicago PHP User Group, Midwest PHP 2021 (Keynote), and Longhorn PHP 2021 (Keynote)
In the context of information security, social engineering is a practice that can help hackers to acquire personal information, insights, and access. Social engineering techniques can also be used by hackers and non-hackers alike to become more skilled at observing the people around them and making informed decisions that are based on these observations. In this session, you will learn how to take a social engineering approach towards improving your team dynamics, including:
- Strategies for assessing your team’s current strengths and areas of improvement.
- Recommendations for developing an action plan to initiate change.
- Strategies for using ongoing observation techniques to effectively manage change.
Redefining Risk Taking
Slides and Video
Presented at EmberCamp Chicago 2019 (Keynote)
When writing this talk for EmberCamp Chicago, I drew inspiration from my first ever conference talk on overcoming fear of failure, and what I’ve learned about risk taking since then. This talk focuses on redefining risk taking through the following approaches:
- Taking small steps forward.
- Enhancing your current skill set.
- Shifting towards a growth mindset.
Think Like a Trainer: Improving Your Communication Skills
Slides and Video
Presented at NDC London 2019, Sunshine PHP 2019 (Keynote), Indy Code 2019, WITS Midwest 2019, and Techorama Netherlands 2019
Think back to a time when you were in a conversation that could have gone better. Perhaps you said something the wrong way, or you walked away from the conversation not fully knowing if the other person even understood what you were trying to convey.
Technical trainers rely on effective communication as the foundation of everything that we do. We help end users to learn how to use software and adjust to new workflows, through the process of constantly adapting to different backgrounds, skill levels, and learning styles.
In this session, you’ll learn actionable strategies to begin thinking like a trainer and improving your communication skills, including:
- Using active listening techniques to communicate with empathy.
- Best practices for explaining technical concepts in non-technical terms.
- Adjusting your communication approach for different communication styles.
- Using problem solving skills to help you get unstuck during difficult conversations.
Becoming an Effective Mentor
Slides and Video
Presented at Nebraska Code 2018, Beer City Code 2018, THAT Conference 2018, CodeMash 2019, and Indy Code 2019
Have you ever thought about becoming a mentor but didn’t know how to get started? Mentoring is a valuable tool for professional development that can result in positive outcomes for both the mentor and the mentee. In this session, you will learn:
- How to identify the specific skills and strengths that you could potentially offer as a mentor.
- Strategies for how to build formal and informal mentoring relationships in the workplace.
- Best practices for communication in mentoring, including how to give constructive feedback and understanding the importance of of active listening.
- Strategies for overcoming common fears that might be preventing you from wanting to become a mentor. If you’ve ever considered becoming a mentor but felt that you didn’t have enough time, that you’re too much of a beginner yourself, or even that your communication skills might be holding you back, this session is for you.
Overcoming Your Fear of Failure
Slides and Video
Presented at Tulsa TechFest 2017, Heartifacts 2018, Nebraska Code 2018, Scotland CSS 2018, and Southeast PHP 2018
Have you ever been too afraid to try for an opportunity because you feared that you wouldn’t get it? In this talk, you’ll learn more about some of the causes of fear of failure, along with clear strategies that you can use to overcome it and advance within your tech career.
Fear of failure is very common, especially among women who are underrepresented in tech. You should attend this session if you’d like to learn how to develop more confidence, build a strong support network, and avoid the pitfalls of perfectionism and procrastination. We’ll use relevant examples from pop culture to illustrate how you can overcome your fear or failure and further develop your potential as a tech leader.