Do Repeat Yourself. How to move from Development into Leadership.

As a developer moving into a leadership role for the first time it can be can be tough, confusing, and at times overwhelming. This was certainly the case for me. I discovered that the principles I had once followed when building software were no longer effective as a leader. However, after a few years I can confidently say that becoming a leader is one of the most fulfilling things I've done. In this talk you will learn some of the ways to adapt your developer skillset to that of a tech lead, and I will share my observations in making these adjustments myself. We'll look at how the problems you need to solve are suddenly very unfamiliar, with intensives that are often the reverse to what you've been used to. If you've had similar experiences or are considering a move into leadership yourself, this talk is for you. You will leave with an number of effective strategies for becoming a tech lead, while remaining kind to yourself and others.

I have delivered this talk at the following conferences to over 250 people:
iOSDevUK 2023
DevTalks Romania 2024

I was recorded at a local meetup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgwfgJTwSFw&t

The slides are here: https://speakerdeck.com/lukestringer90/do-repeat-yourself-how-to-move-from-development-into-leadership

For more info on the other talks I have delivered, my slides, and also some recordings you can find them collated on this webpage: https://stringer.dev/talks

Great Scott! How the Smartphone Changed the Future

Hop into the DeLorean and join us for a fourth-dimensional journey through the history of the smartphone, inspired by the iconic film Back to the Future. Come with us to remember the beginnings of the smartphone revolution, revisit iconic software and hardware launches, and get a glimpse into what the future holds.

Better Debugging with Git

Ever wondered how to crack the case of a mysterious bug lurking in your code? How do you track down the culprit commit in a repository with hundreds of changes? In this talk, you’ll step into the shoes of a code detective, using Git Bisect as your magnifying glass to solve the mystery. Then, you will be ready to tackle bugs like a seasoned investigator, no matter how large the codebase is.

I have presented this talk publically at the following events:
DDDNorth (UK) 2019
dotnetsheff, June 4th 2019
UIKonf 2020 (remote)

A recording of my talk from 2019 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks10Mv_KxNI

How to Run a Tech Meetup That People Actually Return To

Starting a tech meetup is easy. Keeping it alive month after month is the challenge.
In this talk, we’ll share the lessons from running Leeds Mobile, a monthly mobile-focused meetup that’s hosted 20+ events, partnered with global tech companies, and brought hundreds of people together.

You’ll learn how to:
• Secure speakers, venues and sponsors without burning out
• Find repeatable rhythms that keep attendees coming back
• Create an inclusive, engaging community experience
• Record and share content on YouTube with minimal budget

We’ll also be honest about mistakes we made and what we’d do differently if we were starting again. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and confidence to start, grow, or improve any tech community, no matter the size or location.