Missing this one trait, means you will never be a top developer

I’ve spent more than 20 years as a developer or leader of developers. I’ve watched many developers enter and leave the profession, rise in trajectory, and become highly sought after. What never ceases to amaze me are the qualities that outstanding developers possess. You can recognize top developers because they crush every project and have the complete confidence of peers and managers who do not doubt who to turn to for the most important efforts, tasks, and projects.

Pro tip: Being highly sought after doesn’t mean you always have Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, or other fill-in-the-blank tech giants knocking on your door and throwing boatloads of cash at you. You can be a top developer at any company that values software as a core product.

But more commonly than not, I see mediocre developers who are content with their status and are not looking to improve their skills and knowledge. Many mediocre developers will wash out and find a different line of work, become managers to stop coding, or, worse yet, continue to code even though they are not passionate about the jobs.

The top coder mentality includes a lifestyle that often blurs the line between work and play. These developers are rockstars, highly respected by their peers, managers, and those who realize having them on their teams…