4 ms·

I believe that the top trait in A players is the same as in the top founders, which is determination [1]. That determination often manifests itself as the desi

by dabent 14y ago

I believe that the top trait in A players is the same as in the top founders, which is determination [1]. That determination often manifests itself as the desire to understand how something really works, rather than glossing over the details, the drive to learn a new language well enough to use it to implement ideas, to take on the learning curve for a new tool or system, to automate something, or to test their code before releasing it into the wild. I've seen less-than-enthusiastic programmers who release shoddy work, expend more effort moving work onto other's plates that they'd expend just doing it themselves, let bad ideas stand without a fight, and never bother to keep up with changes in technology. I've also seen very smart developers who've constantly been taken in by the latest shiny new thing to cross their path, think that testing is for the weak, and have no real determination to get something up and running completely. If I have to be honest, I would describe very few of the developers I've worked with as "dumb". But many of them are either too passive [2], or lack the determination or desire to really compete a project. One thing I've done to grow is to not try very hard to gloss over the details. Software is supposed to abstract away details, but it's too easy to think "I'll never learn that." or "Who cares what's under the covers? It just works." Understanding the subtleties isn't just an intellectual pursuit. Knowing the internals of a system allows a developer to know the limitations and strengths of a system, so it can be built upon or even repaired and improved. 1. http://paulgraham.com/determination.html http://paulgraham.com/determination.html 2. Sadly, in some situations, these are people who've simply been overwhelmed by the bureaucracy of their workplace. Fortunately, we are currently in a job seeker's market, and determined people can find better work conditions.

benlakey 14y ago
Good stuff, dabent. I agree; Abstractions are valuable tools, but it's important to know whats underneath the abstraction, for when the abstraction leaks, or when it's the wrong tool for the job.
vrishabh 14y ago
> I believe that the top trait in A players is the same as in the top founders, which is determination [1]. Another important trait in the A players is that they are good procrastinators. Or as pg says it, they procrastinate to do "something more important."
eli_gottlieb 14y ago
That's not developers, that's life. Determination is the top predictor of success in... anything. It would even be a tautological statement if we couldn't look at others and predict determination levels before the success happens.
arthurrr 14y ago
I don't really think determination is the magic ingredient. Personally I think the process of writing software is very similar to writing a song. (is anybody here also a songwriter)? Because if you try to write a song before you're ready, it just doesn't work no matter how hard you try, but once the idea has fully formed inside your head, it's as if the song writes itself, i think software is the same way. i remember hearing jobs talk about how a lot of the A players would also write poetry. when i think of A players i always think of the musician who is able to improvise with another A musician instinctively, without needed time to rehearse. A players are able to communicate faster with each other than with B or C players. a so-called "A" player who has a big ego and can't play with others isn't actually an A player, but has managed to convince others (and himself) that he is. seriously, if you want to become a better hacker, learn how to write a song, it's pure creation (or try painting, but songwriting is more creative imo)
- benlakey 14y ago
  That's a pretty romantic way of putting it, but I agree mostly. You're dead on about so-called 'A' players who have big egos and can't communicate or play well with others; They might even be 'A' in terms of technical expertise but that's not the whole picture.

by dabent 14y ago

benlakey 14y ago

Good stuff, dabent. I agree; Abstractions are valuable tools, but it's important to know whats underneath the abstraction, for when the abstraction leaks, or when it's the wrong tool for the job.

vrishabh 14y ago

> I believe that the top trait in A players is the same as in the top founders, which is determination [1]. Another important trait in the A players is that they are good procrastinators. Or as pg says it, they procrastinate to do "something more important."

eli_gottlieb 14y ago

That's not developers, that's life. Determination is the top predictor of success in... anything. It would even be a tautological statement if we couldn't look at others and predict determination levels before the success happens.

arthurrr 14y ago

I don't really think determination is the magic ingredient. Personally I think the process of writing software is very similar to writing a song. (is anybody here also a songwriter)? Because if you try to write a song before you're ready, it just doesn't work no matter how hard you try, but once the idea has fully formed inside your head, it's as if the song writes itself, i think software is the same way. i remember hearing jobs talk about how a lot of the A players would also write poetry. when i think of A players i always think of the musician who is able to improvise with another A musician instinctively, without needed time to rehearse. A players are able to communicate faster with each other than with B or C players. a so-called "A" player who has a big ego and can't play with others isn't actually an A player, but has managed to convince others (and himself) that he is. seriously, if you want to become a better hacker, learn how to write a song, it's pure creation (or try painting, but songwriting is more creative imo)

benlakey 14y ago
That's a pretty romantic way of putting it, but I agree mostly. You're dead on about so-called 'A' players who have big egos and can't communicate or play well with others; They might even be 'A' in terms of technical expertise but that's not the whole picture.