Abstract
As engineers, we like to think of ourselves as deliberate problem-solvers. But many of the most impactful choices we make aren’t captured in design docs, sprint plans, or architecture reviews. They happen quietly, through habit, omission, or just going with the flow.
In this talk, we’ll examine the subtle, often invisible decisions that shape our systems, our teams, and our careers. These choices are easy to miss in the moment, but accumulate into culture and code, risk and resilience, success and struggle.
Through real-world stories and hard-learned lessons, we’ll explore how to notice these decisions before they make themselves, and how we can steer more intentionally, even in the messy middle of modern software work.
Interview:
What is your keynote about, and why is it important for senior software developers?
Senior developers are standard-bearers in their organization; their choices are even more consequential. And they come at a time when career growth is less structured and more self-directed. Learning to steer with intentionality helps us lead more effectively, build teams and systems that scale, and ensure your work supports your career (and not the other way around).
Why is it critical for software leaders to focus on this topic right now, as we head into 2026?
We know that it’s cliche, but somehow technology is moving even faster than ever. Decisions get even harder and more frequent when things are changing so quickly. It becomes easier to “go with the flow”, and that’s when we’re most susceptible to missing hidden decisions.
Building awareness of the most common types of hidden decisions, and how to spot them, helps us choose with intention and prevent them from quietly shaping our software by accident. In our experience, leaders who can better identify potential hidden decisions will ultimately build better software and better culture.
What are the common challenges developers and architects face in this area?
We call these hidden decisions, because so often they don’t feel like “decisions” at all. They happen by habit or default. Without clear ownership, these choices can slip by unnoticed, slowly adding complexity and technical debt that’s harder to fix later. We know that the idea that there are even more decisions to be making is daunting, especially given how many decisions we’re already facing! But identifying these hidden decisions allows us to shape to work, rather than our work shaping us.
What's one thing you hope attendees will implement immediately after your talk?
We hope attendees will walk away with a stronger sense that they can be more intentional behind all of their decisions, even in the small, quiet moments. By choosing with purpose, they can unlock more agency over their work, their culture, and their impact.
What makes QCon stand out as a conference for senior software professionals?
The speakers at QCon aren't just exceptionally talented, they're also real practitioners actually doing this work every day. The topics are consistently accessible and relatable, and it is clear the track hosts take great care to provide a spectrum of experiences from across the industry.
What was one interesting thing that you learned from a previous QCon?
The relationships we’ve made through QCon have provided us with opportunities for collaboration that we wouldn’t have cultivated otherwise. We’ve seen dozens of incredible talks, but what truly sets QCon apart is the people and the generosity with which attendees share their insights and experiences. These interactions are what keep QCon a standout event for us year after year.
Speaker
Shawna Martell
Principal Software Engineer @Imprint, Previously @Carta, @Yahoo, @Verizon, and @Wolfram
Shawna Martell is a Principal Software Engineer at Imprint. Her previous experience includes Sr Staff Engineer at Carta, Director of Software Engineering for Yahoo's Big Data Platform, and she was one of the original engineers on Wolfram|Alpha. She holds an MS in Computer Science from Syracuse University and an MBA from the University of Illinois. Beyond her professional pursuits, she channels her passion into volunteering in local politics and finds solace in the world of podcasts.
Find Shawna Martell at:
Speaker
Dan Fike
Principal Engineer and Deputy to the CTO @Carta, Previously @Google and @YaHoo, 5+ Years Implementing Strategies and Solutions in the Tech Industry
Dan Fike is a Principal Engineer and Deputy to the CTO at Carta, Inc. His experience ranges from game development to web app infrastructure, from Google to a 5-person tech startup, from programmer to architect, and from writing patents to conducting M&A diligence. He holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Illinois
