The trick to climbing the corporate ladder is to keep switching companies and at every interview assume you have got the job. Blag a little more each time and spend the interview trying to find out if you want the job (even if you desperately do).
keep switching the company when you get a new title...i was switching companies but still just a Software developer. Despite the fact i can lead a team and plan things it is highly unlikely i am able to get such positions :)
I realised this very early on in my career. To me, true software engineering is all about dealing with the people and the business as it is creating software. They are inseparable in the professional context.
Everything we do for our careers is nothing but business. Everything revolves around demand and supply. Sales is the necessity. Unfortunately as engineers that's not what we are taught in university.
Easier said than done, in some companies there are scores of usually non technical people between developers and clients. Just trying to talk to them about actual business needs gets them extremely defensive, as it is "their job" to communicate between us. Also some managers see it as a threat when a developer starts talking about stuff other than ones and zeroes. That said, everything else stands, success is possible only with well rounded set of skills.
From my experience in the Fortune 500, non-technical people typically can't effectively mediate between a developer and a client. The mediator needs to have a solid understanding of the technical requirements, meaning some technical knowledge is essential. In most cases, mediators between devs and clients are managers with a technical background. They may not be tech experts, but they usually have more knowledge than the average non-technical person you're referring to. For software engineers, those who pursue leadership often follow either the architect or manager route. These roles may be client-facing or more backend-focused, but both require strong communication skills to effectively bridge gaps between business needs and technical execution. That said, I do understand your point-there can be defensiveness from non-technical mediators. But having a technically knowledgeable person in that role is key to bridging the gap between business needs and development.
Weird - I havent memorized any algorithm or data structure - just did some projects and got a job and im happy. The only thing I do agree with this video is in order to climb the ladder you need - 1) Commucation skills 2) Understand that is not all about coding.
The boasting in the beginning really turned me off and I nearly stopped watching, but since the video is short I didn't, and luckily so. Because what you actually said later is absolutely correct. Software engineering is problem solving for real people in the real world. If you can't do that, people won't pay you or your software will suck. Not everybody is set for being an entrepreneur, though, striving to make 7 figures or revolutionising the market or whatever. I'm happy staying an employed senior developer, if only I can do my work in a way that I think is right.
While I agree with you overall, you can’t get a job with only communication skills, you still need to go through the interview hell we have today, that’s why people practice leetcode even they do understand that it is not the actual job/skill they need.
You have to realize that only 1 out 8 employees will get that next promotion. That's 12.5%. Two promotions is about 1.5%. 100% of employees are competing with you for those promotions. You best bet is to destroy other employees' work and only look out for yourself. This is why large corporations have so much friction and burn up so much energy and get so little done. A 1.75L bottle of whisky is really reasonable priced.
This is very distractive.... Competition is good when it's toward a similar goal.... Personal gain defeats the purpose. I would leave a work place that cultivate this type of beahviour.
Sorry but nobody smart enough ever said that being the best at one thing (e.g. programming) is going to magically solve all problems in your working / entrepreneurial / whatever career. Even if you have the easiest job on the planet, lack of soft skills will just keep you at the same position for ever. Best case scenario is that you become a tool for someone with less expertise, more soft skills and a fair amount of self respect and dignity. Also nobody said that you learn programming to be something more than a programmer. Every wish for advancement in someones career comes from the combination of self reflection, third party influence, some sort of ambition (small or bigger) and a need to address the requirements of higher living standards.
Hi Alex, Its great to see that you recognize this, but unfortunately many people don't. Many beginners believe success is largely merit based, but spend enough time in the corporate world and you understand that is the furthest thing from the truth.
yeah totally agree, BUT, you forget one important points, when you apply for job, the company require you have hella skills, start from js py R java +10 freamworks and hella stuff, and you just can learn all of them
I think programmers need to collaborate with the rest of the team and do DESIGN THINKING for a successful life As someone with ASD it felt like the software engineers have similar issues with those with the Disorder ie. Not looking at the big picture and poor communication skills. Once you can understand your clients and end users you and solve the problems they face it could actually pay off
Can it be both true? I remember Carl Newports book, be so good they can't ignore you. I just can't imagine what you are suggesting like 70% communication, 30% technical skills? I guess your perspective is softeng -> Manager then create a business? Whats our goal here?
It’s definitely true that being excellent at your technical skills is important, but in today’s landscape, pure technical skills aren’t enough to stand out long-term. I’m not saying it’s a 70/30 split between communication and technical ability-it’s more about integrating both. Think of it like this: your technical skills get you in the door, but communication is what helps you thrive in complex roles, lead projects, or even launch a business. It’s not necessarily a linear path to management or entrepreneurship, but having strong cross-functional skills gives you options beyond just staying a developer. The goal? Future-proofing your career by being more than a typical dev.
hello! i am new here! so i have a question!? is it a good option to invent your own thing and make money off of it like your own project that you invented!?
On the short: Fk programing or be a absolute samurai of coding, just be a decent or mediocre coder but be a good or great politician and you are set for life. Play the system and do not try to change the world. Great or ... offer consultancy to others and be your boss after you gathered enough money 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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The trick to climbing the corporate ladder is to keep switching companies and at every interview assume you have got the job. Blag a little more each time and spend the interview trying to find out if you want the job (even if you desperately do).
keep switching the company when you get a new title...i was switching companies but still just a Software developer. Despite the fact i can lead a team and plan things it is highly unlikely i am able to get such positions :)
I realised this very early on in my career. To me, true software engineering is all about dealing with the people and the business as it is creating software. They are inseparable in the professional context.
This is the reality of modern jobs. Whoever doesn't play the game will have a hard time climbing the ladder.
Everything we do for our careers is nothing but business. Everything revolves around demand and supply. Sales is the necessity. Unfortunately as engineers that's not what we are taught in university.
Easier said than done, in some companies there are scores of usually non technical people between developers and clients. Just trying to talk to them about actual business needs gets them extremely defensive, as it is "their job" to communicate between us. Also some managers see it as a threat when a developer starts talking about stuff other than ones and zeroes. That said, everything else stands, success is possible only with well rounded set of skills.
From my experience in the Fortune 500, non-technical people typically can't effectively mediate between a developer and a client. The mediator needs to have a solid understanding of the technical requirements, meaning some technical knowledge is essential. In most cases, mediators between devs and clients are managers with a technical background. They may not be tech experts, but they usually have more knowledge than the average non-technical person you're referring to.
For software engineers, those who pursue leadership often follow either the architect or manager route. These roles may be client-facing or more backend-focused, but both require strong communication skills to effectively bridge gaps between business needs and technical execution.
That said, I do understand your point-there can be defensiveness from non-technical mediators. But having a technically knowledgeable person in that role is key to bridging the gap between business needs and development.
Weird - I havent memorized any algorithm or data structure - just did some projects and got a job and im happy.
The only thing I do agree with this video is in order to climb the ladder you need -
1) Commucation skills
2) Understand that is not all about coding.
I haven’t heard of that lie even though I have taken coding classes too (or maybe I haven’t reached that stage yet)
The boasting in the beginning really turned me off and I nearly stopped watching, but since the video is short I didn't, and luckily so. Because what you actually said later is absolutely correct. Software engineering is problem solving for real people in the real world. If you can't do that, people won't pay you or your software will suck. Not everybody is set for being an entrepreneur, though, striving to make 7 figures or revolutionising the market or whatever. I'm happy staying an employed senior developer, if only I can do my work in a way that I think is right.
While I agree with you overall, you can’t get a job with only communication skills, you still need to go through the interview hell we have today, that’s why people practice leetcode even they do understand that it is not the actual job/skill they need.
I am very happy with my career and the technologies i use. When you do not understand your job the technology you use you hate your career.
You have to realize that only 1 out 8 employees will get that next promotion. That's 12.5%. Two promotions is about 1.5%. 100% of employees are competing with you for those promotions. You best bet is to destroy other employees' work and only look out for yourself. This is why large corporations have so much friction and burn up so much energy and get so little done. A 1.75L bottle of whisky is really reasonable priced.
This is very distractive.... Competition is good when it's toward a similar goal.... Personal gain defeats the purpose.
I would leave a work place that cultivate this type of beahviour.
Sorry but nobody smart enough ever said that being the best at one thing (e.g. programming) is going to magically solve all problems in your working / entrepreneurial / whatever career.
Even if you have the easiest job on the planet, lack of soft skills will just keep you at the same position for ever.
Best case scenario is that you become a tool for someone with less expertise, more soft skills and a fair amount of self respect and dignity.
Also nobody said that you learn programming to be something more than a programmer. Every wish for advancement in someones career comes from the combination of self reflection, third party influence, some sort of ambition (small or bigger) and a need to address the requirements of higher living standards.
Hi Alex,
Its great to see that you recognize this, but unfortunately many people don't. Many beginners believe success is largely merit based, but spend enough time in the corporate world and you understand that is the furthest thing from the truth.
yeah totally agree, BUT, you forget one important points, when you apply for job, the company require you have hella skills, start from js py R java +10 freamworks and hella stuff, and you just can learn all of them
I think programmers need to collaborate with the rest of the team and do DESIGN THINKING for a successful life
As someone with ASD it felt like the software engineers have similar issues with those with the Disorder ie. Not looking at the big picture and poor communication skills.
Once you can understand your clients and end users you and solve the problems they face it could actually pay off
Can it be both true? I remember Carl Newports book, be so good they can't ignore you.
I just can't imagine what you are suggesting like 70% communication, 30% technical skills? I guess your perspective is softeng -> Manager then create a business? Whats our goal here?
It’s definitely true that being excellent at your technical skills is important, but in today’s landscape, pure technical skills aren’t enough to stand out long-term. I’m not saying it’s a 70/30 split between communication and technical ability-it’s more about integrating both. Think of it like this: your technical skills get you in the door, but communication is what helps you thrive in complex roles, lead projects, or even launch a business. It’s not necessarily a linear path to management or entrepreneurship, but having strong cross-functional skills gives you options beyond just staying a developer. The goal? Future-proofing your career by being more than a typical dev.
what is "creating leverage"
I'd like HRs watched this video.
Very good ideas. Congrats
Welcome to the real world, Mr. Anderson.
In all my software development career, communication and teamwork were the top skills emphasised.
What is the name of your 7 figure consulting firm?
Just became one of my life mentors starting from today❤
Thanks guruji, Mark my words I will meet you one day. :)
My new mentor
Well said!!!
hello! i am new here! so i have a question!? is it a good option to invent your own thing and make money off of it like your own project that you invented!?
Hi... You look like the youtuber Noel Denzel 🙂 but less big and you code
Good stuff, but stop talking about yourself. We're not interested.
On the short: Fk programing or be a absolute samurai of coding, just be a decent or mediocre coder but be a good or great politician and you are set for life. Play the system and do not try to change the world. Great or ... offer consultancy to others and be your boss after you gathered enough money 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yeah, it makes sense!
great video
The goat of SWEs