My Experience at ‘Unmute’ – A Retreat for Women Ready to Lead with Confidence & Presence

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Sometimes leadership isn’t about finding your voice.
It’s about giving yourself permission to use it. 💫



I recently spent two days at Unmute – a Retreat for Women Ready to Lead with Confidence and Presence – and I came away with so much more than I expected!

The biggest highlight?
The women. ❤️

An incredible group of women, each brilliant in her own way, each at a different point in her journey – exploring leadership, boundaries, clarity, purpose, confidence, identity and simply… becoming more of who they are.

We talked. We laughed. We reflected… and We Unmuted parts of our own selves in different ways.



🦋 We explored somatic practices, guided exercises, self-reflection and some wonderfully honest conversations. And there was something powerful about being in a room where people could put their professional titles aside and simply show up as themselves.



🦄 It reminded me that leadership development isn’t always about acquiring another skill or learning another framework.
Sometimes it’s about:
✨ trusting yourself a little more
✨ understanding what you truly need
✨ setting boundaries without guilt
✨ finding the courage to speak up
✨ and creating enough space to hear your own voice



A huge thank you to Alicia Ingruber and Amanda Gandolpho for creating such a thoughtful and welcoming space. The intention, energy and care behind Unmute really came through. 💜

I left feeling inspired, connected and reminded that the strongest leadership often begins with the relationship we have with ourselves.
Definitely looking forward to joining future events and continuing these conversations.
Sharing a few glimpses from the experience. 📸

My experience speaking at LeadDev Meetup,Amsterdam

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Excited to share that this week I had the opportunity to speak at the upcoming LeadDev Meetup Amsterdam, sponsored by Picnic Technologies and CircleCI 🚀

🦄 Having participated in LeadDev panels and online events in the past, it felt especially meaningful to now join the community in-person here in Amsterdam.

https://www.meetup.com/leaddev-meetup-amsterdam/events/313077825/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

The evening brought together an incredible mix of engineering leaders, managers, and software professionals — all passionate about building better teams, stronger engineering cultures, and more thoughtful leadership practices.

💫 And what a setting it was!

A packed room, engaging conversations, a warm atmosphere hosted beautifully by Picnic Technologies, and a lineup of insightful talks that made the entire event energizing and inspiring.

My talk for the evening was:

🌊 “Navigating the Agile Seas: Program Management in Startup Waters”

In the session, I shared some of my learnings and experiences around:

🔹 Leading programs in fast-moving startup environments

🔹 Balancing agility with structure and predictability

🔹 Building resilient teams amidst constant change

🔹 Navigating uncertainty while still delivering value at scale

🪴 One of the best parts of speaking at events like these is always the conversations afterward — hearing different perspectives, exchanging ideas, and connecting with people who are equally passionate about Agile leadership and engineering culture.

💜A huge thank you to the LeadDev community, the organizers, sponsors and everyone who attended and engaged so openly during the session.

📸 Sharing a few snapshots from the evening

#LeadDev #Meetup #MeetupEvents #EngineeringLeadership #AgileLeadership #ProgramManagement #StartupCulture #TechCommunity #AmsterdamTech #Agile #Leadership

I am speaking at LeadDev Meetup, Amsterdam

Nishi Grover Garg1 Comment

I am super excited to share that I have been invited to speak at the upcoming LeadDev Meetup in Amsterdam – being sponsored by Picnic and CircleCi. The LeadDev group is dedicated to bringing together engineering leaders, managers, and software developers to share best practices in engineering leadership, discuss strategies for promoting leadership accountability, and network with like-minded individuals in the tech industry. And having been a part of online LeadDev Panels and events in the past, I am very happy to be invite for an in-person meetup event in Amsterdam.

My topic for the day is “Navigating the Agile Seas: Program Management in Startup Waters”
Join me on an exhilarating voyage through the turbulent waters of startup agile teams, where the pace is fast, and quality is paramount. In this talk, we’ll explore the dynamic landscape of leading software delivery in startup environments, balancing the need for speed with the imperative for quality. Program and engineering leaders will gain valuable insights into aligning team efforts with business goals while maintaining agility and high-quality standards. By the end of this session, you will:

  • Explore effective methodologies for orchestrating agile programs in dynamic startup ecosystems
  • Gain insights into adaptive leadership techniques tailored for startup agility.
  • Learn practical approaches to balance speed and quality in software delivery.

Here are the details and the agenda for the meetup:

Join the event for inspiring discussions, valuable insights, and networking opportunities. Let’s grow and learn together!

Year-end Reflection 2025

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Some years don’t just pass by — they transform you. 🔅

That is what 2025 has been..

Not every transformation is loud or obvious.

💫 Some are visible — new places, new roles, new beginnings.

🌱 Others happen quietly —

in how you think, what you value, how you observe life, what you let go of, and what you finally choose for yourself.

🌾 Growth doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it arrives quietly — and stays forever.

As this year comes to a close, I feel nothing but gratitude.

Gratitude for the people I met, the conversations that shaped me, the lessons that humbled me, the patience that I found in me, and the strength I discovered within myself.

Thank you, 2025, for everything you were —

for the dreams that your brought down to reality,

for the opportunities that came my way,

for the challenges that built resilience,

for the changes that brought clarity,

and for the journey that made me more Me!

As we close down the year, it might be a good time to reflect, find things to be grateful for, and instead of setting some new year resolutions, perhaps find some systems to place within our lives – to be better at being ourselves!

Let us step into the next year more hopeful, grounded, and open — trusting the timing, the process, and the possibilities ahead. 🌟

Here’s to what’s next. 💫

#2025Reflection #YearInReview #Grateful #GratefulHeart #TransformationJourney #LifeTransitions #CareerGrowth #NewBeginnings #TrustTheProcess #LifeLessons #MondayMusings #YearEnd #YearEndReflection #PersonalGrowth #MovingForward #GrowthMindset #WhatALesson

Panel Discussion about Agentic Testing with LeadDev

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Still buzzing from yesterday’s Panel discussion at LeadDev on “Are You Ready for Agentic Testing?”

https://leaddev.com/event/are-you-ready-for-agentic-testing

We unpacked some powerful themes there:

↩️ What agentic testing really is and How is it shifting testing from scripted execution to adaptive, autonomous quality.

🚧 How do you give agents sufficient context, guardrails, guidance to make them effective

🚐 Practical ways to integrate testing agents directly into our workflows.

🌵 A risks vs benefits analysis of using more autonomous agents & what it means for testers today!

I loved the depth of conversation, the questions, and the energy in the room! We got some amazing questions online from the participants, and the conversation continued on the slack channel later too.

A huge thank you to LeadDev for hosting and to my fellow panelists Richard Bradshaw Vernon Richards and Dan Belcher and our host Amanda Sopkin for putting together such a meaningful, future-focused discussion.

Always a privilege to share space with people pushing the boundaries of quality engineering!

#AgenticTesting #SoftwareTesting #QualityEngineering #Agile #DevOps #AIinTesting #ContinuousDelivery #TestAutomation #LeadDev #AI #AIDiscussions

Conducting an Agile Workshop Series at work

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Over the last three weeks, I had the opportunity to run a series of Agile workshops for my team — an experience filled with learning, collaboration, reflection, and plenty of fun moments.

I spent my first few weeks exploring how we work today, what’s possible tomorrow, and how we can evolve our ways of working using agile thinking. And when it was time to get ideas to practice, we needed more hands on deck! That is when we created our ‘Agile Guild’ – a core team who would not only help plan and conduct the workshops but also help align all team members to the core principles as and when needed.

🐝 Together with our newly formed Agile Guild, we explored where we are today and where we want to go as an agile organization.

🦄 We brought in new concepts tailored to our context, introduced working in Agile Pods and even reimagined how we use JIRA — moving beyond traditional sprint management — to a setup that truly fits the way our teams operate!

💡 Workshop 1: Deep-dive into our existing processes, pain points, and failures — followed by Agile fundamentals to build a strong base.
🚀 Workshop 2: Our recommended implementation plan using Agile Pods, and strategic discussions on how we can transform the way we deliver.
📊 Workshop 3: Hands-on introduction to JIRA Plans, and how we’ll use it to create clarity, alignment, and predictability across our pods.

🐬 From insightful discussions to hands-on team activities, the sessions sparked great energy and alignment.

🦋 What I loved most was the energy — team activities, honest conversations, shared learning moments, and a clear roadmap for what comes next.

🪴 Feeling grateful for the engagement, the curiosity, and the collective commitment to continuous improvement. Excited for what’s next! ✨

P.S. – The iconic view in this room was the icing on the cake! 🙂

(What you see – The landmark Erasmus Bridge of Rotterdam over the serene waters)

#Agile #AgileTransformation #AgileLeadership #ScrumMaster #TeamLearning #ContinuousImprovement #WaysOfWorking #JIRA #WorkshopFacilitation #LeadershipInTech #AgileCoaching

Speaking at LeadDev Panel Discussion: How Cloud-Native Teams Test at AI-Powered Velocity 🚀

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What an honor it was to join the panel discussion hosted by LeadDev this week—alongside brilliant minds like Ole Lensmar, @Varun Awasthi, and our amazing & talented moderator Heidi Waterhouse.


Event Link: https://leaddev.com/event/how-teams-test-at-ai-powered-velocity


We tackled one of the most pressing questions in software today: How do we maintain quality and developer experience when velocity is being pushed to its limits—especially with AI tools accelerating the pace?
Here are a few of my favorite takeaways that resonated deeply:

🔍 Key Insights & Highlights

🌿 Orchestrating Tests in Cloud-Native Environments
Scaling test automation across Kubernetes and complex cloud infrastructures is no longer optional—it’s essential. We discussed patterns and practices that help achieve consistency and coverage without slowing things down.

🌿 Breaking Down Silos between QA, Platform, and Dev Teams:
Collaboration is critical. One recurring theme: embedding quality into every step, not isolating QA as a final gate. Cultivating shared responsibility ensures faster feedback loops and higher trust. LeadDev

🌿 Better Observability, Fewer Flakes:
Too often we drown in test noise. By improving observability—clearly distinguishing signal from noise—we can reduce flaky tests and focus on real quality signals. LeadDev

🌿 Developer Experience as a First-Class Concern:
Velocity is important, but not at the cost of a broken feedback loop. Optimizing for DX means tests must be fast, reliable, and integrated—so developers feel empowered, not burdened.

The depth of conversations, the invigorating questions, the connections made—all of it reaffirmed how powerful shared learning is.

A heartfelt thank you to the LeadDev team for inviting me and running such a seamless, high-impact event. And to my fellow panelists and everyone who joined the discussion: thank you for your insights, your challenges, and your curiosity. We grow by asking hard questions together!💡

Cheers,

Nishi

Thrilled to see my name in print — in German!

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Thrilled to see my name in print — in German!! 🇩🇪📖

When I first wrote this article on Continuous Testing in Agile—highlighting the need to balance speed with quality, and keep the “wheels of testing” running—I had no idea it would travel this far.
But today, I’m proud to share that my work has been published in the print edition of Entwickler.de, one of Germany’s most respected tech magazines! 🎉

Originally written in English and translated by the amazing editorial team, the article is titled:
🔍 “Die Räder des Testens am Laufen halten”
(“Keeping the Wheels of Testing Running”)
— and dives deep into how Agile teams can stay efficient and resilient with continuous testing strategies, even in fast-paced delivery cycles.

🧪 From quality thinking to adaptive test environments, the article covers the mindset and methods teams need to deliver great software, consistently.

💜 A big thank you to the Entwickler.de team for beautifully presenting the article and sending me a print copy that I’ll treasure.
🙏 And a warm shoutout to the Devmio team as well for our collaboration and continued support in sharing meaningful conversations around DevOps and Quality at Scale.

Here’s to celebrating small wins, sharing knowledge, and seeing our ideas come to life across borders and languages! 🌍✍️

📖 Read the article here:
👉 https://entwickler.de/testing/die-rader-des-testens-am-laufen-halten-002

#ProudMoment #ContinuousTesting #AgileQuality #DevOps #EntwicklerDe #AgileTesting #TechWriting #DevOpsCon #WomenInTech #TestAutomation #QualityAtScale #KnowledgeSharing #AgileLeadership #PublishedAuthor #FromIdeaToPrint

Speaking at DevOpsCon Berlin

What an Incredible Experience Speaking at DevOpsCon Berlin 2025! 🎉

Nishi Grover Garg1 Comment

Last week, I had the honor of speaking at DevOpsCon Berlin on June 17-18, 2025, and what an amazing experience it was!

From the moment I stepped on stage to deliver my session(s), I could feel the energy and curiosity in the room. The engagement, questions, and feedback I received were truly inspiring and reaffirmed why I love sharing knowledge and learning from the incredible tech community. 💡 (More about my sessions shared here earlier)

But this event wasn’t just about speaking—it was about connecting. I had the privilege of meeting some of the most passionate and brilliant minds in DevOps. Our chats were not only insightful but also a reminder of how collaborative and innovative this space is. Special thanks to @Simon , @Robert , and @Richa for some enriching conversations and the shared laughs that made these days even more memorable. It is always a pleasure to work with @Fabian and meeting in person was even more fun!

As I look back at these moments , I feel immense gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to this thriving community. Here’s to more connections, collaborations, and growth in the future! 🌟

A huge shoutout to the organizing team @Mirjam , @Nadia and the @S&S Conference team for hosting such a seamless and impactful event—it was no small feat, and you nailed it! 🙌

If you attended my session or would like to chat about any of the topics, feel free to reach out—I’d love to keep the conversation going. Let’s continue building and growing together! 🚀

Cheers,

Nishi

I am speaking at DevOpsCon Berlin (June 2025)

Nishi Grover Garg1 Comment

I am excited to share that I will be speaking at DevOpsCon Berlin next week, an event by devmio.

This event is known for its power workshops, practical learning avenues and networking with international community of Agile & DevOps enthusiasts, I am excited to be presenting not one but 2 sessions – one focused on No-Code Test Automation Revolution and another about Leading Scrum teams in dynamic environments.

The conference offers 4 full days of learning in the form of sessions, keynotes and workshops, with options to attend in-person or online – here is the full program https://devopscon.io/berlin/program-berlin/

As I prepare to travel to Berlin again, this will definitely be a new experience as a European native and having my family along with me! I am excited to meet some new people and reconnect with the amazing people I met in the past years.

Here are the details of my 2 sessions:

No Code Revolution: Redefining Test Automation for Speed and Simplicity

With numerous test automation tools and frameworks available today, many in the software testing industry are focused on learning them all. It is important to stay updated with new technology. But are testers losing something in the race to become more technical and equipped with automation skills? Is your test automation becoming so technical and code-intensive that it’s in danger of alienating the subject-matter expert testers who best know the core of your business?
Testing is a creative field and Test automation tools are the necessary technology that is meant to serve us.
Test automation is undergoing a paradigm shift with the rise of no-code platforms. This session dives into how no-code test automation tools are transforming traditional testing practices, enabling faster implementation, and making testing accessible to non-technical stakeholders.

Takeaways :
Attendees will discover:
>>What steps to take to not alienate your business testers and other key stakeholders from yoyr test automation.
>>How no-code platforms democratize test automation for Agile teams.
>>Techniques to reduce setup time and increase test coverage.
>>Practical insights into leveraging no-code tools for scalable, efficient testing

Mastering Scrum and Navigating Agility in Dynamic environments

Agile teams in startups can be in a constant state of flux, and creating harmony there requires mastering adaptive leadership techniques, relooking at processes and leaning them out to suit the needs of the teams. In this session, we will dissect the intricate dance of leading software delivery in startup agile teams, and discover actionable strategies for navigating the complexities of program management in fast-paced environments. 

Scrum masters, agile leaders and team members will gain valuable insights into aligning team efforts with business goals while maintaining agility and high-quality standards.

By the end of this session, you will:​

>Gain insights into adaptive leadership techniques tailored for startup agility.

>Learn practical approaches to balance speed and quality in software delivery.

>Explore effective methodologies managing scrum teams in dynamic startup ecosystems.