How to Overcome Social Anxiety and Improve Communication Skills in Tech | Ep 296 | DevReady Podcast

About this episode

Bill Lennan discusses overcoming social anxiety and improving communication skills in the tech industry.

In this third appearance on the DevReady Podcast, Bill Lennan, Founder of 40 Percent Better and author of Talking With Strangers, joins Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, for an in-depth conversation about communication skills, social anxiety, networking and the evolving role of AI in software development. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience working with software teams in Silicon Valley startups and enterprises, Bill shares how learning to confidently talk with strangers transformed both his personal life and professional career. He explains the practical systems behind his new book, including the structured “coffee shop recipe” approach that helps people gradually build confidence through small, repeatable social interactions. Throughout the episode, Bill discusses how repetition, structured practice and gradual exposure helped him overcome severe social anxiety and become more comfortable in networking environments, leadership conversations and professional settings. He explains how simple interactions at cafés, networking events and workplaces eventually opened doors to larger opportunities, including executive presentations…

People in this episode

Host: Anthony Sapountzis

Guest: Bill Lennan

Topics covered

• social anxiety
• communication skills
• networking
• AI in software development
• career progression
• leadership
• personal development

Keywords

• social anxiety
• communication skills
• networking
• AI
• career progression
• leadership
• software development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: 40 Percent Better, Aerion Technologies

Books & works: Talking With Strangers

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