Over the years, I’ve met many developers. But I often asked myself, “What makes the best truly stand out?” I want to share what I’ve learned in hopes it helps you the way I wish it helped me when I was starting.
1. Read the Reference
"Don’t guess, read the manual. The answers are already there."
One habit of great programmers is going directly to the source, the official documentation. Whether it’s the Python Standard Library, Apache Docs, or a configuration spec, they read it. They don’t jump to Stack Overflow or chatbots first.
Why?
Because reading the reference gives you a full understanding, not just quick fixes. It helps you learn the “why,” not just the “how.”
2. Master Your Tools
"Know your tools so well that they feel like an extension of your hands."
It’s not enough to “use” a tool. The best devs understand it deeply. They know:
Who made it and why.
Its current maintainers and limitations.
The entire ecosystem around it.
If you're using Kafka daily, don’t just copy-paste snippets. Learn Kafka inside out. That’s what separates users from experts.
3. Read the Error Messages
"Your computer is trying to talk to you. Listen."
Great engineers read every error message carefully. They don’t panic, they pause and analyse. Many bugs solve themselves once you understand what the system is telling you. It’s almost magical.
4. Break Down the Problem
"If it looks too big, make it smaller."
Big problems overwhelm everyone. The best devs break them down into smaller, bite-sized steps. That’s their secret weapon. Complex systems are just a bunch of simple problems stacked together.
Pro Tip: If you're stuck, you're probably trying to solve too much at once. Simplify.
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Get Your Hands Dirty
"Code is just code. Dive in."
Elite devs don’t shy away from unknown or messy codebases. They explore, read, refactor, and make sense of things others avoid. That’s how they grow. They learn by doing.
When others hesitate, they get started.
6. Always Help Others
"Helping others helps you grow."
The best devs are also generous. They’re busy, yet they make time to help teammates. They listen, support, and teach. Not because they’re forced to — but because they care.
Being curious, humble, and helpful is a superpower.
7. Write and Share
"Clear writing reflects clear thinking."
Great programmers also write well. Blogs, tutorials, or open-source documentation — they love sharing. Good writing forces you to think clearly and structure your knowledge.
Bonus: Better writers often become better coders too.
8. Never Stop Learning
"Stay curious, stay young."
Some of the best devs I know are over 60, yet still learning every day. Why? Because they love it.
Bad devs think learning ends with a degree. Great ones know it never ends. They embrace every new tool, language, or framework with joy and a learner’s mindset.
9. Stay Humble — Status Doesn’t Matter
"Everyone has something to teach you."
Whether it’s an intern or a senior architect, the best devs treat everyone equally. They know fresh ideas can come from anywhere. Hierarchy doesn’t block learning.
Humility is strength.
10. Build a Reputation
"Let your work speak louder than your title."
To be truly great, others must know you're great. Not for fame, but for impact.
Ways to build a strong reputation:
Ship important projects.
Write useful tools or libraries.
Speak, write, or contribute to the community.
Your name becomes your brand. Build it slowly and intentionally.
11. Be Patient
"Good things take time — and so does good code."
Patience is underrated. Software breaks, people misunderstand, things move slow. Without patience, frustration takes over.
Patience gives you the power to debug, to teach, and to learn. It helps you stay focused and committed.
12. Never Blame the Computer
"There is always a reason — find it."
When things break, bad devs blame the system. Good devs dig deeper. Computers aren’t random — there's always logic behind the chaos.
The best never stop until they uncover the cause.
13. Say “I Don’t Know”
"Saying ‘I don’t know’ is the first step to knowing."
Smart devs admit what they don’t know. They don’t pretend or guess. They pause, think, and explore.
This honesty builds trust. It also unlocks curiosity and growth.
14. Don’t Guess
"If you’re unsure, don’t assume — find out."
One of the biggest mistakes is guessing under pressure. Guesses become false foundations.
When something is unclear, pause. Go back. Read more. Test.
"In the face of ambiguity, refuse the temptation to guess."
— The Zen of Python
Final Words
"Your journey as a developer is not a race, but a climb. Step by step, day by day."
You don’t have to master all these overnight. Pick one, grow from it, and slowly become the kind of developer others admire and rely on.
Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep helping.
Top comments (0)