Mindset shift to become a Senior Software Engineer

This could literally get you your next promotion.

Introduction

I got my first promotion in just 10 months.

One of the things I did that made me stand out was to focus on the team and how we can improve as a team.

I introduced practices that helped my team become more productive and agile.

Anyway, let’s not focus on me, let me tell you about the mindset shift.

The mindset shift

The problem

Junior to Mid software engineers are often stuck at their level not because of their technical skills, but rather the impact they have on the team.

They are too focused on coding.

They are too focused on putting tasks into progress and creating PRs.

They are too narrow-minded.

They are stuck at their level thinking it’s because they need to create more PRs. When in actuality, it’s about the impact of their work.

The shift

Change your mindset.

Think about the customers.

Think about the product.

Think about the team.

Here are questions you could ask yourself:

• When was the last time I shared knowledge with the team?

• When was the last time I asked the product team WHY we are building something?

  • Where did the decision originate from?

  • How was the feature validated and proven to be an actual NEED for customers?

• When was the last time I discovered a bottleneck in my team and improved it?

  • Improve CI speed?

  • Start internal documentation?

  • Lead a weekly learning session?

  • Increase the agility of the team?

  • Find strategies to better the team atmosphere and culture.

• When was the last time I tried using our product and critically thought about how to improve it?

• When was the last time I asked how work the team has shipped is affecting customers and how we can improve it?

Conclusion

Shift your mindset from a factory worker to a professional who takes ownership.