Lightning talks are back at Business of Software Conference. They are fast, focused and packed with insights – sharp perspectives from experts, leaving you with actionable takeaways in just 7.5 minutes.
At BoS Europe 2025, we’re featuring two standout applications that discusses some of the biggest challenges in leadership and product development. Meet Steve McLeod and Gareth Marlow, two experts with practical wisdom to share.
Steve McLeod – How Bootstrapped Teams REALLY Choose What Feature to Build Next
Ever wondered how successful bootstrapped teams prioritize their product roadmap? Steve McLeod, founder of Feature Upvote and host of the Bootstrapped podcast, lifts the curtain on how these teams actually make decisions, beyond just frameworks and gut feelings.
Steve will explore:
- Why “logical” decision-making isn’t always what happens in reality.
- How real-world constraints shape feature prioritization.
- The messy, imperfect, but effective ways teams build what matters most.
If you’ve ever struggled to choose between competing features or justify a decision to your team, his talk will give you the clarity (and reality check) you need.
Gareth Marlow – No One Knows What They’re Doing. Especially You. Lead Anyway.
Imposter syndrome. Self-doubt. The feeling that everyone else has it figured out except you. Sound familiar? Gareth Marlow, executive coach and consultant of eqsystems.io, has spent years helping founders and executives navigate uncertainty, and his message is clear: Nobody has all the answers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t lead effectively.
Gareth’s lightning talk will cover:
- Why even the most experienced leaders feel out of their depth (and why that’s normal).
- How to lead with confidence, even when you don’t have all the answers.
- Practical steps to build resilience and decision-making skills in the face of uncertainty.
If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself in a leadership role, his talk will help you embrace the uncertainty and move forward with confidence.
Be in the Room: Don’t Miss Your Chance
Lightning talks may be short, but that’s what makes it interesting. Steve and Gareth are bringing real-world insights that will challenge the way you think about product development and leadership. Make sure you’re in the room, because these are the kinds of talks that can change the way you work.
