What Impresses Software Engineers in a Professional Setting

As a manager, what do you expect from your fellow software engineers on a daily basis? This article explores what impressed me during my time managing teams of developers and consultants, and why a professional demeanor trumps every other consideration.

Show Up and Do Your Job

The foundation of any productive working relationship lies in simple professional behavior:

Showing up: Regular attendance is the cornerstone of trust and reliability. Doing your job: Fulfilling your responsibilities is the primary expectation of any professional.

Writing Clean, Understandable Code

Effortless, clean, and understandable code is a necessity for efficient team collaboration and long-term maintainability.

Helping Others and Mentorship

One of the most admirable traits in a colleague is the willingness to:

Help others; Mentor junior staff: Senior staff taking on the responsibility to guide those who are newer or less experienced.

Effective Communication

Transparent and honest communication of progress and problems is crucial. This includes:

Updating on ongoing projects. Informing about any setbacks or challenges.

Responsibility and Initiative

Taking ownership of tasks and initiatives, as well as suggesting improvements for processes and the overall work environment, is highly valued:

Taking responsibility: Accountability is key to maintaining trust and reliability. Making suggestions for improvement: Constructive thoughts and ideas can significantly enhance the team and organization as a whole.

Avoiding Common Annoyances

There are certain behaviors that can be particularly irritating and detrimental to the team's success:

Not informing about problems: Issues should be reported promptly to enable timely problem-solving. Not communicating when away: Even with flexible hours, proper communication about being offsite is essential. Distracting behavior: Focusing on personal pursuits during work hours can significantly detract from productivity and team cohesion.

Expectations for Exceptional Outcomes

While adherence to these principles is expected on a daily basis, there are instances where exceptional performance is necessary:

Solving complex problems: Demonstrating superior problem-solving capabilities through tackling particularly thorny challenges. Architecting efficient solutions: Crafting solutions that optimize performance and efficiency. Helping teammates: Assisting colleagues in improving their skills and knowledge.

However, these exceptional achievements are secondary to the consistent and reliable performance described above.

Ultimately, I believe in the value of a professional and adult attitude. Dedication to responsibilities, open communication, and a willingness to help others form the basis of a strong and cohesive team. While top-tier achievements are commendable, a consistent and reliable approach is the true cornerstone of success.

If you operate under a mentality that does not value these principles, it is understandable to seek a new environment where these traits are appreciated.