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From Bias to Breakthrough: A manager’s journey into neurodiversity
FULL
Thursday May 28, 2026 14:00 - 14:30 CEST
👾 DEV/TECH ARENA
Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.
Diversity is often discussed in broad strokes, but what does it look like on the ground, in the middle of a noisy open space, when standard communication fails?

In this session, I will share the honest, unfiltered story of my collaboration with Hatem. When Hatem first joined as a contractor, the challenges seemed insurmountable: no eye contact, a total reliance on a job coach to communicate, and the sensory overload of a bustling tech environment. Fast forward two years, and Hatem is not just a permanent employee—he is a pillar of the team and a recognized expert across the organization.

We will walk through the heavy initial investment required to build trust and the specific adjustments—from daily 1-on-1s to "silent rooms"—that turned a difficult start into a technical breakthrough. You will discover how Hatem transitioned from a QA role to a QE (Quality Engineering) expert, mastering automation with the help of a structured mentorship model.

Key Takeaways:

- Beyond Soft Skills: How to adapt management for profiles that don't fit the "standard" social mold.

- The Mentorship Blueprint: Why the "Show once, let fly" approach works wonders for neurodivergent talent.

- Creating the Right Environment: Practical tips on handling sensory challenges (noise, open spaces) in tech offices.

- The ROI of Patience: Why investing time in neurodiversity leads to high-autonomy, high-impact technical experts.
Speakers
avatar for Hatem Souabni

Hatem Souabni

Quality Engineer, Decathlon
Based in Lille, I am a QE Engineer at Decathlon, where I have spent the past four years ensuring the reliability of our digital products. I first spent two years on-site as a consultant via auticon before officially joining the internal team two years ago. Although a career in IT... Read More →
avatar for Jean-Baptiste Leroux

Jean-Baptiste Leroux

Engineering Manager, Decathlon
Engineering Manager @ Decathlon | 17+ Years in Java | Endurance Athlete

Based in Lille for the past 17 years and originally from Western France (near Brittany), I am an Engineering Manager at Decathlon, where I have spent the last 6 years building high-impact logistics solutions. With a deep technical background rooted in 17 years of Java ecosystem expertise... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 14:00 - 14:30 CEST
👾 DEV/TECH ARENA 135 Rue Sadi Carnot, Ronchin, France
  Dev / Tech, Talk

Attendees (60)


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