
For years, I dreamed of speaking at Agile By Example in Warsaw. It’s one of Poland’s largest conferences focused on Agility, running since 2011. After a few attempts to join, I finally attended in 2023 a Dojo event with my colleague Paweł Łapiński just before 2 full days of talks. And then, in 2024, the moment I waited for finally arrived: my talk, “The Neuroscience Behind Perceived Value,” was accepted. It felt like a big milestone, and my important moment was just ahead.
There’s something worth mentioning upfront: I work almost exclusively remotely. Over the past year, I mostly attended online conferences, so a face-to-face event in Warsaw felt like a significant challenge – and not a small one.
Stepping onto the Big Stage
My main goals for Agile by Example: make my talk impactful and inspire the conference attendees. But I had other hopes, too: reconnecting with old friends, hugging a few people I’d never met in person, meeting new faces, and finding fresh inspiration to grow professionally.
If you’ve never been on a big stage, I highly recommend giving it a try if you feel up for it – it’s a truly unique experience. What was it like for me this year at Agile by Example? Stressful – with lights shining on me, the audience watching, and… something particularly challenging: the echo of my own voice on stage. When I stepped up and heard myself, I realized that perhaps it will never feel entirely perfect for me.
With virtual conferences, we’re used to familiar questions: “Can you hear me? Can you see me? Can you see my screen?” But a live conference brings new challenges, from “Will I faint from excitement on stage?” to technical issues. Right before my talk, I had to change my presentation format. Fortunately, it worked out well, but I was glad I asked myself a few days before, “What will I do if I can’t use my slides?”
The Role of Hosting – Rewarding and Nerve-Wracking
On the same day as my talk, I had the pleasure of hosting two incredible women: Evelien Acun-Roos and Sarah Gruneisen. I was excited to support them, but hosting turned out to be even more nerve-wracking than speaking. Why? Because I was doing it for someone else – and I didn’t want to let anyone down. My hands damp with nerves as I went on stage as a host, but thankfully, things like that aren’t so much visible in a dimly lit cinema hall. 😊 But it’s worth saying this outright: being a host or supporting any conference participant isn’t always a walk in the park.
Later, I had the chance to chat with the technical team and learned they worked through the night setting up equipment to ensure everything was ready on time. Their tired eyes said it all – they were exhausted. It was a powerful reminder of how much I rely on the dedication of those working in the background to keep things running smoothly. Organizers, volunteers, technical support – it’s so good they’re there. In fact, it’s essential.

Inspiration at Every Turn
The sessions by Evelien and Sarah left a deep impression on me, not just because I hosted them. I met Sarah the day before her talk and immediately felt a bond – she became my “sister from another mother.” Thanks to our connection, I knew she’s neurodivergent, and if there was too much echo in the room, she might have significant difficulty presenting. Watching her handle the stage with such poise was inspiring, knowing the effort it likely took. Sarah also spoke about Agile Leadership, a topic that I believe deserves more attention, and I was grateful she shared her insights.
As for Evelien, she did something that took me by surprise: she combined a traditional talk with a mini-workshop. During her session, I walked around with her, handing out sticky notes and writing supplies. It was amazing – although I was nervous, Evelien’s calm expertise showed that she knew exactly what she was doing. Her topic, on how to influence team happiness using chemical drivers, brought a new perspective and real practical value.

There was so much inspiration at the conference; it’s hard to mention everything. The Taylor sisters’ calmness and the beautiful metaphors in their talk left me wanting to get to know Susanne and Sylvia better – I hope I’ll have that chance soon. The talk “Agile Electric Catamarans Manufacturing” by Karol Starzak was also a treat. Hearing people embrace agility in hardware was wonderful.

I also enjoyed Stefan Stojković’s talk, which I’d seen previously in a longer format at the Online Scrum Master Summit 2024 (OSMS24). Having the chance to compare them, I have to say (even if it’s not a popular opinion) that I preferred his online presentation. Some stories simply need more time. With Agile by Example’s shorter format, presentations are about 15-18 minutes, which works well for keeping the topics varied and dynamic. But I felt I could understand Stefan’s inspirations and messages more fully at the online conference.

This experience reaffirmed how valuable online conferences can be, allowing sessions to unfold over days and easing the time pressure on presenters. I also vividly remember Craig Larman’s talk on AI & HR. The concept of a GLAD developer – Generative-AI & LLM-Assisted Development – resonates deeply with me.

Reflections on the Value of Face-to-Face and Online Conferences
My expectations for Agile By Example 2024 were absolutely met, and I’m so glad I attended, even if I returned completely exhausted. I love meeting great people and connecting with new faces. I also came away with a fresh appreciation that while face-to-face conferences offer unique experiences, there are still excellent reasons to keep online events going. They allow more flexibility in session lengths, and they make conferences accessible in a way that might suit many people better – for instance, people who find comfort in their own equipment and space, as it’s perfectly aligned with their needs. After Agile by Example, I started to wonder how many people choose to stay home for various reasons.
One thing I truly value is that most of the talks at this conference will be available online, so even more people can access these insights and inspirations. It’s a great feeling to know that the conference can resonate and spark new ideas far beyond Warsaw. Finally, this experience reminded me of the importance of persistence and patience.
Whenever you hear “no,” it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve something or that it’s out of reach – it usually means “not today” or “not this time.” Maybe I wasn’t ready before to do it right, or my topics weren’t aligned quite right. There were probably a lot of “maybes.” But in 2024, my “maybe” turned into a “yes.” I hope some of your maybes will transform into yeses soon, too.