PresentationsBeyond the Code, Across the Globe: International Expertise for a Sustainable Tech Career Through Communication, Systems Thinking, and Human Connection
Abstract
In this talk Charles Humble, a senior technology professional with an unconventional background in English literature shares hard-won insights about building a successful career in software engineering.
Drawing from over 30 years of experience transitioning from publishing to technology leadership, he will consider the role three cornerstone skills can play: effective communication, empathy, and systems thinking. The presentation advocates for active participation in tech communities and open source projects as vehicles for professional growth, while stressing the fundamental importance of kindness and teaching others.
Ultimately, Charles argues that the most successful technologists are those who combine technical competence with strong interpersonal skills, viewing their role not as isolated individual contributors but as collaborative team members who elevate those around them.
Resources
Related writing:
Professional Skills for Software Engineers
Empathy:
Trust Your Gut or Think Carefully?
Three Types of Empathy
Perspective taking
Evidence for independence and interaction between the routes of social cognition
The EQ Leader
Probelm solving and systems thinking:
The pragmatic programmer
The default mode network
The default network is causally linked to creative thinking
Is Efficiency A Good Thing?
Thinking on My Feet: The small joy of putting one foot in front of another
Thinking in Systems
Learning Systems Thinking
