#178 - Lessons from the 3 Smartest Developers I’ve Ever Met
Oct 10, 2024
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Explore the profound lessons gained from three brilliant developers who transformed the host's coding career. Discover the emotional challenges of receiving constructive feedback during code reviews and the importance of aligning tech strategies with business goals. Learn how collaboration and embracing discomfort can lead to personal growth in the tech field. The insights shared are essential for anyone looking to level up their coding skills and avoid mediocrity.
20:45
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Quick takeaways
Emulating skilled developers can transform one’s mindset, emphasizing quality and efficiency over mere task completion in software development.
Understanding how technology aligns with business objectives is essential for impactful development, prioritizing solutions that address real organizational needs.
Deep dives
Learning from Genius Developers
Observing and emulating skilled developers can significantly accelerate one's career in software development. The host shares experiences with a particularly talented colleague, referred to as Don, who demonstrated unconventional habits that worked with impressive results. Don's expertise included writing comprehensive tests for every feature and utilizing shortcuts to enhance coding efficiency. This rigorous approach highlighted the importance of not just completing tasks but ensuring quality and understanding the tools used, ultimately transforming the host’s mindset and skill set.
The Value of Constructive Code Reviews
Engaging in detailed code reviews is key to improving both individual skills and overall team performance. The host recounts their experience with a meticulous reviewer who provided thorough feedback and encouraged discussion about alternative solutions. Initially intimidating, these reviews fostered a culture of care and learning, prompting the host to reassess their own approach to reviewing code. By adopting best practices learned from this reviewer, the host improved their code review process, realizing the impact that thoroughness can have on maintaining high standards in software quality.
Aligning Technology with Business Goals
Understanding the broader context of how technology fits into business objectives is crucial for effective development. After an interaction with a colleague, the host learned to prioritize discussions around how software projects contribute to organizational goals rather than simply indulging in technical trends. This shift in perspective encouraged a focus on solving real business problems, leading to more relevant and impactful development work. The insight served as a reminder that, while coding skills are vital, the ability to connect technology with business needs is what ultimately drives success in a software development career.
Another wrote a popular library for unit testing that you've probably heard of. 🧠
The last one called me out on my b.s. 😅
I stole a little piece of each of these developers to accelerate my own career.
I've been very lucky.
I live in the epicenter of the tech universe in the San Francisco Bay Area. Every nerdy developer with a dollar and a dream ends up here somehow.
You don’t have to get lucky though.
I want to share the lessons I learned from each of these characters that saved me from mediocrity and might help you as well.
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