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Erry Kostala
Erry Kostala

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How to be proactive as a Software Engineer

Introduction

As technical leaders, it is our job to solve problems proactively, without someone telling us what to do. This can be challenging as it requires to get out of the "problem solving" mindset, which comes naturally to us, and take a step back to the "problem space understanding/problem finding" mindset. However, it is necessary to advance in our career.

Anticipate Problems Before They Arise

Don't wait for issues to surface. Regularly review your code and that of your peers to identify potential pitfalls. Implement comprehensive testing and consider edge cases during development. By foreseeing challenges, you can address them proactively, reducing future technical debt.

Communicate Effectively

As engineers, we might feel that frequent updates are unnecessary, especially if we’re deeply involved in the project. However, stakeholders who are less hands-on require regular updates to stay informed. Even if they don’t explicitly ask for updates, it’s good practice to provide a summary of progress at least once a week. If something is going to take longer than expected—even by a small amount—inform them as soon as you know. While this may feel excessive to us, it’s often the right level of communication for stakeholders.

Additionally, if someone doesn’t respond to a message or question, don’t hesitate to follow up. You’re not being annoying; senior people in the company are busy and may have missed your question. It’s perfectly fine to request an acknowledgment, such as: “If you can’t get back to this today, can you please let me know a timeline so I can inform my team?” Remember, it’s also part of their job to support you.

Seek Feedback and Act on It

When you’re a junior engineer, feedback often comes directly from your manager or lead. As you grow into a senior role, you need to take the initiative to seek feedback proactively. Regularly ask your peers, mentors, and stakeholders for input on your work. Acting on this feedback not only improves your performance but also demonstrates a willingness to grow and adapt.

Document, Mentor and Collaborate

If you’ve worked on something new or had to dig through complex code to figure something out, document your findings. This makes it easier for the next person tackling the same issue. Writing documentation is an investment that saves time for everyone in the future.

For teams with junior members, consider setting up regular one-on-one sessions to share your knowledge. For example, you might say, “This week, I refactored the payments logic. Would you like me to walk you through what I did and what I learned?” These sessions are meaningful learning opportunities for both you and your teammates, fostering collaboration and a culture of continuous improvement.

Summary

In summary, being a technical leader in a senior position is less "how to do" and more "how to avoid future issues". However, this doesn't mean you have to do it alone. You are perfectly in the right to ask for what you need from others and help each other within your team.

What are your tips for staying proactive as a senior leader? Please let me know!

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