commoneuropecongress2026

Thinking about that next move?  Want to be a manager or team lead, but not sure if it's for you?  Come hear about my career journey and what I have learned since taking that step.  You'll understand what you'll need in your toolbox to make that step, what it may be like for you in your organisation and discover if you've got what it takes to lead people or if you'd just prefer to stay technical.

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, technical expertise alone is no longer sufficient for success. Professionals must complement their hard skills with strong interpersonal and adaptive capabilities to thrive in client engagements and leadership roles. This session, From AI to EQ: 10 Ways to Elevate Your Professional Skills, explores practical strategies to elevate your effectiveness as an IT professional or technology leader. We will cover ten essential techniques, including active listening, empathy, positive facilitation, whiteboarding, AI literacy, delivering compelling presentations, conducting peer reviews, preparing executive briefings, understanding leadership styles, and practicing emotional intelligence. Attendees will gain actionable insights and tools to communicate with clarity, foster collaboration, leverage AI responsibly, and lead with confidence. Whether you are engaging clients, presenting to executives, or guiding teams, these skills will help you make a lasting impact.

After decades in the IBM i community, and through hundreds of conversations with developers, leaders, innovators, and business owners, clear patterns have emerged.
Not just about technology, but about the people, purpose, and what truly sustains this platform across generations.
With real stories, hear a unique perspective on the human side of IBM i, and what it takes to carry it forward.