Speaker Hacks for Nervous Nerds (From a Nerd Who Talks a Lot)

Short 20 minute session for SQLBits 2026Friday - 24 Apr 2026 - 14:10 - 14:30 Room 1A

TL; DR

Think public speaking isn’t for you? Think again. In this quick, energizing session, I’ll share bite-sized, practical tips for delivering talks when you’re not a natural performer. From managing nerves to structuring your opening lines, these tricks come from years of speaking at events—with all the awkward stumbles along the way. Whether you're prepping for your first user group or a big-stage conference, you'll walk away feeling a little less terrified (and a lot more prepared).

Session Details

Think public speaking isn’t for you? Think again. In this quick, energizing session, I’ll share bite-sized, practical tips for delivering talks when you’re not a natural performer. From managing nerves to structuring your opening lines, these tricks come from years of speaking at events—with all the awkward stumbles along the way. Whether you're prepping for your first user group or a big-stage conference, you'll walk away feeling a little less terrified (and a lot more prepared).

3 things you'll get out of this session

Learn practical techniques to manage nerves, anxiety, and mental overload before and during a talk.

Understand simple frameworks for structuring clear, confident openings and delivering smoother presentations.

Build habits and preparation routines that make public speaking feel less intimidating and more consistently successful.

Reid Havens's other proposed sessions for 2026

Becoming a Master Builder: Creating the Ultimate BI Developer Toolbox - 2026

Building a Data Platform that Delivers ROI, Value, and AI Readiness - 2026

Design a Well-Architected Fabric Solution: A Medallion First Approach - 2026

F is for Fabric - 2026

Fabric for Muppets - 2026

Lights, Camera, Data!: Building Your Brand through YouTube and Speaking - 2026

Navigating Microsoft Fabric: A Practical Guide to Tool Selection - 2026

Power BI Feature Overload: Balancing Flexibility with Maintainability - 2026

Power BI Features I Regret Using (So You Don’t Have To) - 2026

Power BI Settings That Are Secretly Ruining Your Reports - 2026

Scoped for Success: Why Composite Models are a Report's Best Friend - 2026

Semantic Models Comes First: Managing Models for Growth and Self-Service - 2026

Upgrading Power BI Architecture - 2026

Reid Havens's previous sessions

Thriving with ADHD in Tech: Unleashing the Data Analyst Superpowers Within

Learn how to leverage ADHD as a distinct advantage in the tech domain, specifically as a data analyst. This session dives deep into the inherent strengths of ADHD individuals, offering actionable strategies to amplify productivity and navigate challenges. Topics include optimizing the ADHD attributes of creativity and hyperfocus for data tasks, crafting an ADHD-conducive workspace, mastering time management, enhancing team communication, and emphasizing mindfulness for career longevity. By the conclusion, attendees will have a comprehensive toolkit to harness their unique ADHD attributes and flourish in the tech landscape.

Supercharge Power BI Tooltips

Discover secrets of tooltip design in Power BI. Learn how to upgrade your tooltips with DAX, add dynamic charts to report page tooltips, and add design elements to information/help tooltips.

Beyond Buttons: More Than Meets The Eye

In this presentation you'll see many unique and creative ways to implement both both bookmarks and buttons to supercharge the filter and navigation experience for your users.