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I'm going to assume for this conversation we are talking about a software engineer that is able to build products very quickly and with relatively few major pro

I'm going to assume for this conversation we are talking about a software engineer that is able to build products very quickly and with relatively few major problems. At the end of the day I believe the common threads of these type of people are experience, motivation, and direction. For reference, I started my full time career as a software engineer in 2012 and worked my way from SE to Senior Engineering Manager, I have come in to contact with a lot of software engineers. There is nothing magical about highly effective software engineers. They are usually * Experienced something like 5 - 8 years * Good at self improvement * Focused in one area and one set of tools * Hard workers * Motivated, driven by something inside themselves to code * They are given clear goals and outcomes Some of the highly effective engineers I've worked with are highly independent and difficult to work with, some have been kind team players, some have been always on the cutting edge and some have gotten really good with one tool and never wanted to change. People who are good at things are still just people and come in all shapes and sizes and personalities.

HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago
> They are given clear goals and outcomes That one doesn't get enough credit for success.
- giantg2 5y ago
  I wish I would be given these.
  - ipaddr 5y ago
    Superstar programmers make goals as much as take goals.
    - giantg2 5y ago
      I get that about things like automation and coming up new features. I'm tired of shitty requirements, swirl, and a general lack of direction.
giantg2 5y ago
I started around that same time. I'm just a mid-level. I used to have many of the skills listed, but I stopped caring after repeatedly being screwed over.
- tenpoundhammer 5y ago
  In 2019 I was an SE2 the thing that turned it around was reading this one book https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Corner-Office-Strategies-Business/dp/1601633203 https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Corner-Office-Strategies-Bus... . Based on the title of the book it's easy to misconstrue as a guide to using underhanded tactics to get ahead but it's not. It gives you the tools and strategies to understand how people actually get ahead working in corporations today.
  - giantg2 5y ago
    Use buzzwords and claim results as your own (because you managed the people making the changes). Also "network", aka setup social status to use backroom deals to have your friends promote you. It's all about how you can spin things to improve the optics and your reputation.

HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago

> They are given clear goals and outcomes That one doesn't get enough credit for success.

giantg2 5y ago
I wish I would be given these.
- ipaddr 5y ago
  Superstar programmers make goals as much as take goals.
  - giantg2 5y ago
    I get that about things like automation and coming up new features. I'm tired of shitty requirements, swirl, and a general lack of direction.

giantg2 5y ago

I started around that same time. I'm just a mid-level. I used to have many of the skills listed, but I stopped caring after repeatedly being screwed over.

tenpoundhammer 5y ago
In 2019 I was an SE2 the thing that turned it around was reading this one book https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Corner-Office-Strategies-Business/dp/1601633203 https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Corner-Office-Strategies-Bus... . Based on the title of the book it's easy to misconstrue as a guide to using underhanded tactics to get ahead but it's not. It gives you the tools and strategies to understand how people actually get ahead working in corporations today.
- giantg2 5y ago
  Use buzzwords and claim results as your own (because you managed the people making the changes). Also "network", aka setup social status to use backroom deals to have your friends promote you. It's all about how you can spin things to improve the optics and your reputation.