Earlier this month, we hosted T-SQL Tuesday and chose the topic of Growing the Younger Data Community and Speakers.  Today, I bring you a summary recap of everyone who shared their thoughts on this subject with links to their full content.

First, if you are not familiar with T-SQL Tuesday, it is a monthly blog party created by Adam Machanic in 2009. Now managed by Steve Jones.

T-SQL Tuesday Recap

Joe Fleming shares his ideas on how we can watch for those wallflowers, make them feel welcome, and help them create the next generation of in-groups.

Rob Farley shares his thoughts on mentoring various people, and some of that involves presenting. Still, more of it is about establishing them as experts, helping them learn what they want to know, and encouraging them to take steps to achieve their goals. If someone feels comfortable in their own skin as an expert, knowing that they are genuinely good at what they do, then they will often start to realize that they belong on the other side of the room.

Andy Yun flips the script and asks the readers to get involved. You do not have to be an expert to help. You can help by encouraging someone to share their ideas and become more involved in the data community.

Steve Jones shares his story of helping by finding people who inspire and educate their local community.

Andy Levy shared his experience meeting Courtney Woolum at the SQLPASS Summit in 2023 with Steve Clement. They blogged about their experience and the importance of the hallway track (walking around and meeting people) at conferences.

Mala Mahadevan shares what has worked over the past two decades and what has changed. I think she is spot on in finding what already exists and participating in whatever way you can. Real growth comes from real human connection.

Robert Douglas shares his thoughts on building a legacy and how that involves presenting to the targeted audience of people at the start of their story.