When designing recruiting processes or evaluating developers, I am often asked what makes a great developer. People have all sort of answers to this question. Many focus on the technical skills and their speed of software development. While these are important, I believe there are other qualities that are more important. You can always teach people new languages, you can train them in more efficient ways to write code and do code reviews. But soft skills and personal drive, those are much harder to teach. They often come down to personality and mindset and are learned over years, often since they were kids.

In this short post, I will share what I think are 6 key qualities that make a great developer. It is worth knowing, that I am not talking about the 10x developer, the work 60 hours a week developer or the developer that shoots to the top of the career ladder the fastest.

I am talking about the developer that is a great team player, that is reliable, that is curious and eager to learn and grow. The developer that is a joy to work with and that makes the team better. They are the ones that will take their skills and enhance the entire team. They are the ones that will help you retain a strong and balanced team while contributing accurate reliable code to the codebase.

Key Qualities of Great Developers

1. Curiosity and Willingness to Learn: Great developers are always looking to expand their knowledge and skills. They stay updated with industry trends and are open to learning from others.

2. Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to analyze a problem, think critically, and come up with effective solutions is crucial for any developer.

3. Collaboration and Communication: Software development is often a team effort. Great developers communicate effectively with their peers, share knowledge, and work collaboratively to achieve common goals. They are never afraid to learn from others, no matter their experience level.

4. Attention to Detail: Writing code requires precision. Great developers pay attention to the details, ensuring their code is not only functional but also clean and maintainable.

5. Adaptability: The tech landscape is constantly changing. Great developers are adaptable and can pivot when new technologies or methodologies emerge.

6. Empathy: Understanding the needs and perspectives of users and team members is essential. Great developers build software that meets user needs and helps to foster a positive team environment.

I often find that #1 and #6 are the hardest to teach and the most important to look for when hiring developers. They are the ones that will make the biggest difference in the long run. Without a willingness to learn, it will be challenging to dive into the codebase and come out with an understanding, it will be challenging to adapt to the ways of the company and it will be impossible to grow as a developer. Without empathy, it will be hard to place yourself in the shoes of the users and understand their needs, it will be hard to understand why testing is important and it will be hard to work well with others.

Conclusion

Great developers possess a combination of technical skills and personal qualities that make them valuable assets to any team. They are often honed through years of experience and a genuine passion for technology and collaboration. They have had glorious successes and hard failures, and they have learned from both. If you are a developer, focus on cultivating these qualities. If you are hiring developers, look for these traits in your candidates, anyone can be taught to code, but not everyone can be taught to be a great developer.