22-25 April 2026

Soft Skills for Success

Proposed session for SQLBits 2026

TL; DR

Working in technology is great; there are rules to learn and techniques to master. You find the right way to tell the computer what to do, and it obeys. Then you have to interact with people—colleagues or clients—and things do not always go to plan. Learning these soft skills is essential for success. The good news is that these skills can also be learned. Join me in this highly interactive session, where I share hard-won techniques I use daily. I will share the methods and ideas I have used to succeed in my career. These strategies are easy to learn and can be used as soon as you leave. This is not a typical session; it is told with simple stories and practical techniques you can learn even in this short session. You will leave not only with suggestions but also a toolkit of practical techniques and insights into working with people. It will provide the tools to deal more successfully with others, making you feel more prepared and confident in your interactions.

Session Details

Working in technology is great; there are rules to learn and techniques to master. Guidance on how to do things correctly to get the desired results. Find the right way to tell the computer what to do; it does what you want. Computers obey the rules, and they do what we expect. Then you have to interact with people, maybe work colleagues or clients. Sometimes, things do not go to plan. Learning these soft skills is essential in helping you succeed and work with others. The good news is that these skills can also be learned.

Come and join me in this highly interactive session, where I share some of the hard-won techniques I use daily. I will share the methods and ideas I have used to succeed in my career. These ideas and strategies are easy to learn, and you can use them when you leave the session. This is not a typical session, its told with simple stories, easy to use techniques you can understand and learn even in this short session.

You will leave this session not only with ideas and suggestions but also with a toolkit of practical techniques and more than a few insights into working with people. It will give you the tools and techniques to deal more successfully with others, making you feel more prepared and confident in your interactions.

3 things you'll get out of this session

Develop better soft skills Work better with colleagues and customers alike Make some practical suggestions on way to improve soft skills