The benefits of being a boring developer
Tags: discuss, career, productivity
Published: 2020-07-10 15:16:17

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title: The benefits of being a boring developer
published: true
description: We're in the age of rockstar developers and ninja programmers. But what’s wrong with being a normal, boring developer?
tags: discuss, career, productivity
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<p>We’re in the age of rockstar
developers and ninja programmers. These extravagant job titles beg the question:
what’s wrong with being a normal, boring developer?</p>
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<p>Not everyone is going to identify as a ‘rockstar’. No matter
how great they are at coding, few developers would really consider their work
to be magic-wielding wizardry. And not every coder needs their role
romanticising with grandiose descriptions.</p>
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<p>In the world of development, there’s a lot to be said for being content without the fancy title. But what are the benefits of being a developer, sans ‘rockstar’ attributes?</p>
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<h4><strong>The labels</strong></h4>
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<p>A boring developer is one that avoids the fancy titles. Instead, boring developers are those happy to just be developers. They aren’t rockstars, ninjas or wizards. Nor do they see themselves as gurus, geniuses or <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/tech-hero-seven-technical-support-tips/">heroes</a>. They certainly aren’t mythical ‘unicorns’. </p>
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<p>When we hear these flashy job titles, distinct images form
in our minds. Rockstar developers are the egotistical team members that work at
night, to the sound of cheering crowds. Programming ninjas stealthily defeat
software bugs with their advanced fighting skills. Tech support wizards fix
problems with magic and spell casting. </p>
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<p>It’s fun, fanciful and entirely unrealistic. </p>
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<h4><strong>Step out of the spotlight</strong></h4>
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<p>With a flashy title comes a metaphorical spotlight on the
developer and their work. Rockstars are always in the spotlight. For developers,
this means their work is always expected to be at performance level. There’s
more pressure and less room for mistakes. </p>
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<p>A boring developer, meanwhile, is human. They aren’t mythical, and they aren’t asking for a spotlight all the time. This means they have room to grow and learn – and make mistakes – without being under <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/deal-another-developers-bad-code/">severe scrutiny.</a></p>
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<p>Flashy job titles put developers in the spotlight, but also
hide the hard work behind their achievements and project progress. Their
ability to fix bugs or to write high-quality code is explained away as ‘magic’.
So, plugging a developer’s skill via a sensational job title only serves to
obscure it.</p>
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<p>In contrast, a standard developer’s work isn’t hidden behind titles. It is the hard work that goes behind <g class="gr_ gr_4 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="4" data-gr-id="4">quality</g> code that shines – not a shiny label. </p>
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<h4><strong>Have a team, not a solitary hero</strong></h4>
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<p>One of the key elements of the flashy-titled developer
(specifically the rockstar) is that it suggests a high level of ego. Egotistical
developers are over-confident in what they can do, and they don’t need help
doing it. </p>
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<p>Too much ego can alienate colleagues and disrupt workflows. It makes collaboration difficult, which then impacts productivity. The <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/shattering-the-myth-of-the-lone-tech-genius/">lone tech genius</a> is a myth — developers need to be team players. </p>
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<p>A boring developer doesn’t exude ego. Instead, they have a better <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/5-tips-to-help-new-software-developers-find-their-footing/">emphasis on soft skills</a>. They’re willing to learn, accept mistakes and support their team members. </p>
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<p>This kind of humility has a key role in development. The field, after all, is a role in which everyone is always learning. New ideas, ways of thinking and innovative solutions can come from anywhere. (As can mistakes.) </p>
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<h4><strong>Have a clear path, not a maze of
shadows</strong></h4>
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<p>A boring developer also has a clearer view of their <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/software-engineer-vs-developer-whats-the-difference/">career progression</a>. It’s impossible to tell who is the most senior out of a ninja, a rockstar, and a wizard. And even if you know the answer for one company, it might be different in another. </p>
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<p>A boring developer, meanwhile, is more likely to have a
title such as junior developer, developer, senior developer and so on. Here,
it’s much easier to tell when you’ve received a promotion, or if changing to
that new job is a demotion. In other words, it’s clear where you stand in the
company and what the next step up is. </p>
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<p>Plus, non-fanciful job titles (like those of the boring developer) are likely to look better on your CV or resume. ‘Senior developer’ is a more solid indication of experience and skill than ‘coding ninja’, after all.</p>
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<h4><strong>Enjoy the job, not the title </strong></h4>
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<p>There’s a lot going for the boring developer. There’s less pressure on perfection, and more room for growth, <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/developer-impostor-syndrome-why-you-feel-like-a-fake/">teamwork</a> and productivity. A boring developer is a good developer. They work with their team, they’re humble, and they enjoy the job for what it is. </p>
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<p>So, leave the ‘rockstar’ title to the actual rockstars, and own the fact that you’re an awesome, boring developer. When you have a passion for the job, why would you want to be titled as anything else?</p>
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Originally published here: https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/the-benefits-of-being-a-boring-developer/