Loose the ego#

In simple terms, “Loosening the Ego” means being willing to put aside your own personal opinions, biases, and ideas (your ego) and work together with others as a team. This is crucial in software development because:

  1. Collaboration is key: When you’re working on a project, you’re not just coding alone - you’re part of a team. “Loosening the Ego” means being open to others’ ideas, willing to listen, and collaborating effectively.

  2. Diverse perspectives matter: A single person’s perspective might be limited. By combining diverse views, you can create innovative solutions that wouldn’t have been possible individually.

  3. Code quality suffers from ego-centricity: When someone prioritizes their own ideas over others’, it can lead to duplicated effort, misunderstandings, and ultimately, lower-quality code.

  4. Communication is crucial: Ego-centric individuals tend to dominate conversations, making it harder for others to contribute. By “Loosening the Ego”, you ensure that everyone has a voice and can share their thoughts effectively.

  5. Learning from others: When you’re open to feedback and willing to learn, you can improve your skills faster. This is especially important in software development, where technologies and best practices evolve rapidly.

By “Loosing the Ego” in software development, you’ll:

  • Foster a collaborative environment

  • Encourage diverse perspectives and innovative solutions

  • Produce higher-quality code through teamwork and knowledge-sharing

  • Improve communication and reduce misunderstandings

  • Enhance your own learning and growth

Remember, software development is a team sport. Leave your ego at the door, and you’ll be more likely to create something amazing!

Not Invented here syndrome#

Not Invented Here (NIH) syndrome is a term used to describe a situation where a developer or team refuses to use existing solutions or code because they believe their own solution is better. This can be a result of ego, pride, or a lack of awareness of available solutions.

Even if it seems like your solution is better, it’s essential to consider the following:

  1. Reinventing the wheel: Creating your own solution can be time-consuming and may not be as effective as existing solutions. By using established libraries, frameworks, or tools, you can save time and effort.

  2. Quality and reliability: Established solutions are often well-tested, reliable, and maintained by a community of developers. By using these solutions, you can benefit from their expertise and avoid potential bugs or issues.

  3. Focus on core competencies: By leveraging existing solutions, you can focus on your project’s unique requirements and core functionalities, rather than spending time on generic tasks that have already been solved.

  4. Community support: Using established solutions means you can benefit from community support, documentation, and resources. If you run into issues, you’re more likely to find help and solutions quickly. You can also contribute back to the community by sharing your knowledge and experience and by doing that you might even improve the existing solution.

Ego in software development#

Ego gives us pride in our work and is important Ego also makes us not listen to reason Leaving the Ego at the door when going into a meeting is one of the harder thing for most developers. Ego is not always bad, but it can be a hindrance to collaboration and growth.