Over the last month and a half, I’ve spent considerable time giving presentations at work on how AI tools can help people in their day-to-day activities. Most of these sessions focus on software engineering tasks like writing code, automated testing, setting standards, and using tools like Jira more effectively.
The Art of Presenting
Whenever I’m asked to present, I try to imagine what I’d want as an audience member. My core principle is simple: “if someone asks me to sit through a presentation, they’d better capture my attention quickly and show me what’s in it for me.”
Recently, I met with engineers looking to improve their coding standards. I reviewed their repositories beforehand to tailor my talk, aiming to create an interactive experience where AI felt like a collaborator. As the session progressed, I watched their faces shift from cautious to curious and engaged.
Finding My Calling
A Director of Engineering later summarized my approach:
So you specialize in identifying key challenges in software engineering and creating insightful demos and presentations that clarify possibilities, spark curiosity, and show real-world benefits.
This description resonated deeply with me. As a senior software engineering manager leading a team of 10 engineers working with AI, I’m energized by building tools and processes that make work easier, smoother, and more creative.
Back to the Beginning
This work mirrors the spark that first drew me to programming at age 10: creating something that makes someone’s life better. There’s something magical about watching someone’s eyes light up with understanding, seeing that “aha!” moment when they realize how a tool or process can transform their work.
Looking Forward
I’m now pondering an important question: How can I make this creative, problem-solving approach the center of my work, not just a side benefit? How can I spend more of my time building things that spark curiosity and make people’s lives better?
The answer to that question might define the next chapter of my career.