What I Learned by Looking Outside

The author recently spoke at two conferences, FinOpsX 2025 and HAProxyConf 2025, and met someone they've admired for years. The experiences opened their eyes to the value of learning from people with different backgrounds, industries, and career stages. At the conferences, the author was surrounded by people with unique stories and perspectives, including industry veterans and startups. They realized that looking beyond daily work can bring new ideas and inspiration. At the FinOps conference, the author learned that the average Effective Savings Rate is around 15-30%, and their team's ESR is better than that. The author's team achieves better results with fewer resources by prioritizing feature delivery over elaborate tasks. Many cybersecurity companies are moving into the FinOps space, and startups are adapting quickly to the changing market. The author was inspired by the courage of entrepreneurs who take risks and put themselves out there. Meeting Kelsey Hightower, a distinguished engineer, was a highlight, and the author was reminded of the importance of treating others with respect and kindness. The author learned valuable lessons, including the importance of talking to people outside their usual circle, being brave, and treating others with respect.