Effective Communication: Talk Smarter, Not Harder

So you worked hard to get into your role in the software industry thinking "this'll be great - I'll get to code all of the time and never have to talk to anyone". Then suddenly one day after ramping up in your position you find yourself getting pulled into design reviews and cross-team meetings where you need to build consensus and influence others in ways that school didn't prepare you for. You may even find yourself avoiding or dreading these situations. These conversations don't need to be painful however, especially when there can be major benefits to having them; all it takes is a bit of preparation and having the right mindset going in. Come learn some tips and tools for leading difficult discussions and constructively driving towards an end goal that results in a better product with less stress on your shoulders. Not a developer? Not a problem! These tips are applicable to any role.