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I think most people who have worked with me would consider me a 10x developer, I am capable of writing something in hours that would take others weeks (not in a
by louthy 5y ago
I think most people who have worked with me would consider me a 10x developer, I am capable of writing something in hours that would take others weeks (not in a half-arsed way, but taking all of the complexities of the domain into account). And I think that's what most people think a 10x'er is: that they can just do stuff quicker.
That's not what I think 10x'er is though. I think a 10x'er is someone who enables the 'average' developer to become a 2x, 3x, 4x developer. This can be through writing some core tech, a library used by all, or through mentoring and guidance. The 10x'er can then become a 100x or even 1000x developer. The 10x dev is the person who picks up the really difficult or ugly stuff and says: "Hold my beer, I'll get that done" - motivating the team and helping them to keep velocity. They lead by example and explain to the team why they've taken the approach they have.
Sometimes people use the term Rockstar to define a 10x developer. I think that's a loaded term that comes with an 'arrogance' tag. The true 10x developers shouldn't be arrogant (beyond the base level arrogance everyone of ability has), they can and should be the glue that holds a team together and helps everyone achieve more.
- jimmyvalmer 5y agoIn the fantasy organization where means justify ends, the 10x-er's time is better spent making the 1x-er obsolete. Your lip service to the 1x-er however does not go unappreciated as keeping him on and making him feel more productive is instrumental for political advancement, which is more important for your fortunes than the technical kind.
- louthy 5y agoWhat an incredibly cynical view of the world. Teams where people collaborate are more successful, if you think trying to make your colleagues obsolete is time "better spent", I honestly feel sorry for your co-workers. Yes, if I sat and just wrote code all day I would get a lot done. But, if I help my colleagues too, we all get lots more done.
- mettamage 5y agoThe way I see it: Developer: a person that creates software. 10x development: a person that does it 10x faster. What you describe, I'd simply call a lead developer since making other developers 2x or more is a lead developer his job. If you're a developer and you're doing this, then it'd be one argument to get promoted to lead. Also, if you really are a 10x dev, the one I know works in the HFT space. He's making bank. I'm not sure if that's your thing, but I've noticed they seem to appreciate 10x devs a lot more than any other company out there (and that includes FAANG).
- louthy 5y agoLeading by example is not necessarily the same as being a lead developer. For example, my principal engineer is easily a 10x'er as just a pure developer, but he's also a force multiplier for everybody on the team, he's literally a machine. He leads no one, I made him principal engineer so he didn't have to. If he was to just write code he'd be a 10x'er, with the other work he does to help his colleagues, he's many times more than that.