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About this session
Evgeniy Kharam, author and cybersecurity consultant, argues that soft skills deserve the same deliberate practice as technical ones, since explaining risk, pitching a project, or asking for a raise depends more on connecting with the listener than on technical accuracy. He contrasts the huge catalogue of hard skills the industry trains for with a near-total absence of training in communication, citing research linking breaches to user error and the reluctance to report mistakes. He covers remote-work-specific challenges (reading body language over video, camera and audio setup), conversational hooks from Dale Carnegie for opening dialogue from visible objects on a video call, and modalities for understanding how colleagues or customers process information (visual, audio, kinesthetic; sequential versus holistic thinkers; DISC). He introduces curiosity, empathy and vulnerability as core building blocks, walks through breathing techniques (box breathing, yogi breathing) borrowed from Navy SEAL and freediving training to manage stage fear, and recommends recording your own voice, doing a personal gap assessment, and low-stakes practice such as Toastmasters or chatting with a cashier. He closes with his own six-year journey overcoming a stutter and low confidence, and offers a free 30/60/90/120-day soft-skills development plan.
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, where technical and business professionals often struggle to communicate, the ability to connect on a human level is more important than ever. This session will delve into the critical role soft skills play in bridging this gap, offering practical strategies to enhance your communication and interpersonal abilities. You will also share real-world stories illustrating how mastering these skills can transform not only professional relationships but also overall success in the tech industry. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how these often-overlooked skills can become an indispensable part of their technical toolkit.
Key takeaways
- Translate technical content (risk graphs, project pitches) into metaphors the listener already understands rather than relying on accuracy alone to persuade them.
- Use conversational hooks, ask open questions about a visible object on a video call ('tell me about the picture') instead of closed yes/no questions, to open genuine dialogue.
- Identify how colleagues and customers process information (visual, audio, kinesthetic; sequential versus holistic) and adapt how you present accordingly.
- Practice a breathing technique such as box breathing (inhale, hold, exhale, hold for equal counts) before high-stress moments like presentations to bring your breathing rate down and stay focused.
- Run a personal gap assessment on your own soft skills the way you would on a client's environment, then practice in low-stakes settings such as Toastmasters or everyday conversations before high-stakes ones.
Speakers
Evgeniy Kharam
Evgeniy is built and wired differently. As a father of four, including twins, Evgeniy has mastered the art of remaining unflappable in adversity. This personal resilience translates into his professional ethos, where he has ascended from a firewall… Read moreRead less
Evgeniy is built and wired differently. As a father of four, including twins, Evgeniy has mastered the art of remaining unflappable in adversity. This personal resilience translates into his professional ethos, where he has ascended from a firewall deployment engineer to the Vice President of Architecture at the Herjavec Group. His journey through the evolving landscape of cybersecurity provides him with a unique, panoramic view of the industry, enhancing his capability to lead and innovate across all its domains. Evgeniy's passion extends beyond his day-to-day corporate roles. He is the co-founded of two influential podcasts—one that delves into technical security architecture and another that offers cyber inspiration for business leaders. His engagement with the community continues as he moderates panels and conducts interviews, shaping the conversation in the cybersecurity industry. He also serves as a board advisor to the Canadian Cybersecurity Network, the largest technology group in Canada. His creative spirit is showcased through his co-founding of a cybersecurity-focused ski and snowboard conference, which ingeniously merges lifestyle with professional engagement, thus captivating his audience. Currently, Evgeniy runs his own cyber/media consulting services, drawing on his extensive industry knowledge and media expertise to navigate clients through the complexities of cybersecurity. His literary contribution includes a book on soft skills for technical sales, expanding his consulting services to include mentorship on these essential topics. Whether you are here for his book, training, or consulting services, Evgeniy offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, ensuring invaluable insights tailored to the dynamic needs of the cybersecurity field.
