Don’t Be a “Developer Robot”

If you are reading this, you are likely a dedicated, self-taught individual, above average, seeking recognition that you have not yet achieved. Based on my experience and observation, I’ve noticed that the job market is saturated with what I call “developer robot”. These professionals merely share what they did and will do in the daily stand-up, disappear until their tasks are completed, and the only hint of proactivity you see is when they emerge briefly to ask for help with some detail in their tasks. For a long time, I was one of these developers, and I became quite frustrated with the stagnation it caused in my career. Therefore, I decided to write this article to highlight some points that propelled me to the next level.

Always Offer Help

Be willing to assist your team, even if you don’t know the solution to the problem or it’s unrelated to programming (or your area of expertise). This not only demonstrates your concern for all team members (or even members from other teams) but also opens up learning opportunities whenever you help someone in various situations. Additionally, you will be building a valuable network and standing out even more.

Be Proactive

Seize opportunities to demonstrate proactivity. When they ask in the daily stand-up who wants to start speaking or who could take on a particular task, take the initiative, avoiding the awkward silence that typically follows such questions. This will make you a key player on the team with a leadership aura.

Take Responsibility

Face up to the responsibility for your mistakes and the success of your career. Be ready to tackle diverse challenges, even without the necessary knowledge, whether resolving issues arising from your development or taking taking on a new challenging project. As a developer, your primary role is to learn problem-solving, so don’t shy away from it.

Don’t Stay Idle

When you finish your sprint tasks and have nothing else to do during it, don’t be a “developer robot” who takes the time to rest. Approach your leader, ask if there’s a task to advance, and help alleviate their workload. Check if other team members need assistance. If there’s nothing else to advance in the project, dedicate time to studying the business rules of the product you’re working on. There’s always something productive to do.

Conclusion

Standing out is an active and daily task. You won’t be recognized just by writing the best code in the world. Behave like someone who deserves more, someone taking a step forward every day, a step no one else wants to take. Soft skills and hard skills complement each other.

“NEVER ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER.” — Kindred

Of course, maintain control to avoid overburdening yourself when adopting these new behaviors. Be aware and balanced when seeking the recognition you deserve.

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