In this inspirational talk, Andrea Goulet, a noted expert on empathy and communication in the software industry, will focus on one false binary that runs rampant in tech companies — the “soft skill” / ”hard skill” divide. Whether you call yourself “good with machines” or “good with people,” this is one talk you won’t want to miss.

Empathy is a technical skill. Don’t worry. You read that correctly. While empathy is often cited as a critical “soft skill,” it doesn’t stop there. Empathy is also an incredibly technical topic that is more accessible to analytical engineers and more vital to building software than you might think. In this engaging presentation, Andrea Goulet, a noted expert on communication in the software industry, will debunk several myths around empathy. You’ll walk away with a solid understanding of what empathy is, what it isn’t, how you can build your empathy skills, and a framework for using empathy while coding.