Real 10x Programmers Are SLOW To Write Code
Soft Skills • Software Architecture • Software Development Career Advice
Be a 10x programmer by writing less code, streamlining features, minimizing complexity, and maximizing team efficiency.
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Six Ways to Be a 10x Software Developer Without Writing More Code
1. Technological Empathy: A Key to Success
One of the first techniques to becoming a 10x software developer is developing what I call technological empathy. This involves making technology decisions based not just on what you know and can do, but on what your team is capable of handling.
I remember working on a project where I was being paid $160 an hour to solve a significant architectural problem for a company that needed to rewrite 13 web applications. The majority of the team was proficient in .NET, but I had moved on to using more modern frameworks like Node.js and React. I could have built the solution using the newer tech stacks that I personally preferred and could work with faster. But in the end, I realized that for the team’s sake—and for long-term project success—it was better to stick with a .NET solution. This decision enabled the team to take over the project seamlessly once I left, and the company was so pleased with the outcome that they brought me back for more work.
Being a 10x developer isn’t about doing everything by yourself or using the flashiest new tools. It’s about choosing the technology that will lead to long-term project success and team efficiency.
2. Negotiating Feature Streamlining
Another way to become a 10x software engineer is by learning to negotiate feature streamlining. We’ve all been there—staring at a complex user story or feature request and knowing it’s going to take a mountain of code to implement. But what if you could simplify that feature and still achieve the same business outcomes?
One key is to learn how to communicate effectively with your product manager or client. It’s not enough to just propose a solution that’s easier for you to code—you have to ensure that the end user gets the same result with a simplified implementation. A good way to sell this to your product manager is by explaining how a simpler solution will get the feature into the hands of customers faster, while still solving the core problem.
When you streamline features like this, you save yourself and your team time. You might not be coding at the speed of light, but by reducing the amount of code you have to write, you can be just as effective as—or even more efficient than—those who do.
3. Cross-Technical Insight: The Power of Broad Knowledge
Cross-technical insight is another vital tool in the 10x programmer toolkit. The more technologies you’ve been exposed to, the quicker you’ll be able to adapt to new ones. If you’ve worked with five or ten different programming languages or frameworks, you’re going to start recognizing patterns that repeat across technologies. This recognition allows you to draw parallels between something new and something you’ve done before, even if it’s not exactly the same.
“By leveraging your broad base of experience, you can solve problems faster and write less code by not reinventing the wheel every time you encounter something unfamiliar.”
I’ve seen developers spend hours digging through Stack Overflow, trying to figure out a new framework or library, simply because they can’t make these connections. By leveraging your broad base of experience, you can solve problems faster and write less code by not reinventing the wheel every time you encounter something unfamiliar.
4. Don’t Move Forward on Ambiguity
One of the biggest mistakes developers make is moving forward on a project when they’re unsure about key details. If you feel that something in the user story, mockup, or API spec is unclear, you need to stop and get clarification before writing a single line of code. It might feel like you’re wasting time asking questions, but trust me—it’s far better to clarify things upfront than to code based on assumptions, only to find out later that you misunderstood something.
I’ve learned that ignoring ambiguity always leads to wasted effort. You’ll end up refactoring or rewriting your code, and all the time you thought you were saving by moving forward quickly will be lost in revisions. A true 10x software developer is efficient, and that means taking the time to ensure you’re building the right thing before diving in.
5. Minimize Architectural Complexity
When I was just a few years into my career, I was really into complex software architecture. I loved making things “dry” (Don’t Repeat Yourself) by creating elaborate abstractions and patterns. But what I learned the hard way is that these patterns, while they seem elegant to the person who created them, often end up being a burden for the rest of the team.
If other developers can’t immediately understand your abstractions, you’re slowing down the whole team. They’ll have to dig into your code to figure out what you were doing, which can be more time-consuming than if you had just written something simpler and more straightforward to begin with.
A critical part of being a 10x developer is recognizing when complexity is unnecessary. By reducing architectural complexity, you help your team move faster and more efficiently.
6. Step Back and Document
Lastly, documentation is an often-overlooked part of being a 10x developer. If you’re innovating—whether by combining new npm packages or creating a novel approach to integration—you need to document what you’ve done clearly. Don’t assume your code is self-explanatory or that a couple of examples will be enough. Take the time to write a wiki entry, or some markdown documentation, that explains what you’ve built, how it works, and when to use it.
Early in my career, I made the mistake of thinking that because I understood the code, everyone else would too. But I’ve learned that by stepping back and documenting, I can save my team time and ensure that my innovations are used correctly. It’s not enough to be a great coder—you also need to make sure your work is accessible and easy for others to understand and build upon.
Conclusion: The Real Meaning of a 10x Developer
If you ever feel pressured to be faster at coding, to keep up with the so-called “10x programmers” you see online or at work, take a step back. Being a 10x developer isn’t about writing code faster. It’s about being efficient, making smart decisions, and reducing complexity. Whether it’s by streamlining features, empathizing with your team’s skills, or leveraging your broad technical knowledge, you can have a far greater impact on your projects without needing to write more code.
About the THRIVING TECHNOLOGIST show
On YouTube and all major podcast networks, Jayme shares teamwork and leadership strategies, guidelines for healthy company culture, and stories about real projects so you can have a sustainable career in the software industry.
Jayme Edwards
A family man and veteran of nearly 40 software projects, Jayme experienced many wins and losses over his career as an architect and consultant.
Now he's coaching software developers, managers, and business owners to overcome challenges in the IT industry - so they keep growing.