I remember my early years in the industry, surrounded by developers who seemed to eat, sleep, and breathe code.
They were fast, sharp, and could write entire modules without breaking a sweat.
And, at first, it seemed like that was all you needed to get ahead—be the coding superstar, the "rockstar dev" everyone wants on their team.
I thought, "If I'm the best coder, I'll always be on top."
I wish someone had told me then what I know now—just being an excellent coder won't get you very far.
Fast forward a few years, and I started to notice something. The same developers who were once celebrated for their tech skills were hitting walls.
Promotions stopped coming.
Recognition became rare.
And eventually, some of them faded into the background, doing the same work year after year.
It wasn't because these developers weren't good at what they did. Quite the opposite—they were excellent.
But they were stuck because they did not know how to avoid the common career mistakes.
Let's face it—most developers don't even know where their salary comes from.
And why should they, right? They write code, push to production, and get paid.
But here's the harsh reality—If you don't understand how the company makes money, you won't see the bigger picture.
And without that, your career will stall, no matter how well you code.
Why Knowing the 'Why' Matters
Here's the thing about being a developer—your job isn't just about solving technical problems; it's about solving business problems.
And to do that well, you have to know what drives the business.
Why is that feature important?
What need is it fulfilling for the customer?
Without understanding the 'why', you're just ticking boxes, delivering code without adding real value.
I've seen developers argue during requirement meetings, pushing back on requests because they saw them as "extra work" or "unnecessary complexity".
They only thought about the technical effort it would take without grasping what that feature meant for the company's goals.
When you don't understand how your code helps in the real world, you are guaranteed to miss out on why certain decisions are being made. This can lead to frustration for you and your stakeholders.
It's like being a chef who's amazing at cooking but has no idea what customers actually want to eat. You can make the best dish in the world, but if no one wants it, what's the point?
The Difference Between Task-Takers and Solution-Providers
When you don't understand the 'why' behind what you're building, you become a task-taker.
And task-takers are replaceable.
But what about the developers who can look beyond the task, understand the problem they're solving, and create solutions that align with their company vision?
My manager always asks one key question every time our team present a feature or delivery - "How does this benefit the customer?"
It's a simple but powerful question.
That little shift in perspective helps my team see the bigger picture.
They are no longer just writing code; they are contributing to something bigger. They are making an impact by solving problems for people.
And that's the difference between just being a "developer" and being a valuable asset to the company.
Your Salary is More Than Just a Paycheck
Here's a question - Do you know where your salary comes from?
If the answer is no, you're not alone.
Most developers don't think it's their responsibility to know how the company makes money.
But here's the catch—if you don't understand the business model and how your company makes money, how will you adapt when things get tough?
I've seen it happen over and over again in my extensive career. The market dynamic changes, the company wants to shift its priority, there is a new strategy to follow, and people start getting laid off.
The developers who focused solely on their code, who didn't bother to understand how they fit into the company's larger goals, were often the first to go.
But those who understood the business side—who knew how their work helped the company make money—were in a much better position. They could pivot, add value where it mattered, and demonstrate they were invested in the company's success.
So, How Do You Avoid Getting Stuck?
Let's get down to the real stuff. I am a big proponent of gaining business acumen as a software engineer.
Here are some ways to start building your business acumen today.
1. Ask Questions: Start by understanding how your company makes money. Who are the customers? What are their pain points? Ask questions during meetings, especially when product or business goals are discussed. No one expects you to know it all, but showing that you're interested goes a long way.
2. See Yourself as a Problem Solver, Not Just a Coder: Every piece of code you write should solve a problem, not just check a box. When you get a new task, ask yourself, "Why is this important to the business? How will it help them do their job better?" This small shift in mindset can transform how you approach your work as a software engineer.
3. Learn the Basics of Your Domain: Learn about the industry segment of your company. If you're in fintech, understand financial markets. If it's e-commerce, learn about customer behavior. The more you know about the domain, the better you'll be at building products that actually make a difference.
4. Align with the Company Vision: Think about how your work supports the company's goals. Does your project help attract new customers, streamline processes, or boost revenue? When you can see the direct impact of your work, you'll find more purpose and direction in what you do.
5. Be Proactive: Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do. Look for ways to add value beyond the code. Suggest improvements, find optimizations, and volunteer to help others. The more you step out of the "just a coder" box, the more you'll be seen as a key player in the company's success.
It's Time to Avoid Common Career Mistakes
In today's industry, just being good at coding isn't enough. If you want to keep growing, you have to understand how you contribute to the bigger picture. It's not about abandoning your tech skills; it's about enhancing them with business understanding.
Because at the end of the day, companies pay for value—not just code.
And trust me, when you start thinking this way, you won't just survive in your career—you'll thrive.
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