Learnings from Mediocre Coders
Mediocre programmers have several advantages over the great. They have skills that surely we can tap into to gain their superpowers too.
Let us tuck into that rather tasty burger.
Focus attention on their appearance and social skills
The mediocre software developer will fail to focus on the task at hand and instead will make sure that they appear as a good developer to those around them. This will include repeating what other people say in meetings (to make it appear they have the idea) and rubbing up to management.
What great developers should learn: It’s important to work with your colleagues.
So that’s how you get a promotion?
Call in sick when they are most needed
The most important part of being a developer is showing up. You might not always do your best work but you can ensure that you arrive on time for meetings and are half awake.
The mediocre software developer does something worse. When the mud hits the fan they call in sick. When the pressure is on they simply aren’t there. This can manifest in calling in sick when their colleagues or the project most need them when the deadlines are tight or resources are thin on the ground.
What great developers should learn: Slackers don’t immediately get found out.
I think I’ve a bout of “sick” coming on actually.
Better at getting a good job than doing a good job
Some talkers are gonna talk. They’re going to achieve this because they can speak to the bosses in a manner that they will accept. This applies when they are going for a job and they will ace the interview process. When going for a promotion the same will apply.
What great developers should learn: You don’t need to be the best. You need to appear to be the best.
I’m simply the best.
Appear to be under pressure when there is none
Mediocre developers will constantly be under pressure. They will claim that they need to refactor the codebase when no changes really need to be made. They will run up against deadlines and claim that they don’t have the test data required to make sure that their work is up to standard.
What great developers should learn: Doing things ahead of time and to a good level of quality pays dividends.
Hold on, I’m up against a deadline.
Conclusion
Some might say that this article doesn’t up with real advice. To those I say
I’ve come up with what mediocre software developers offer.
I’ve added what great developers should learn.
Now what more do you want?