The idea of the \u201c10x engineer\u201d has been around for decades. It suggests that some engineers are inherently more productive, more impactful, or more valuable than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But is that really the right way to think about excellence in software development?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this episode of Le Podcast on Emerging Leadership<\/em>, I had the pleasure of welcoming Julien Danjou<\/strong>, an open source software hacker with more than 20 years of experience and the author of several books on Python.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I invited Julien to discuss the myth of 10x engineers and to share his perspective on how engineers actually grow their skills and impact over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Very quickly, the conversation moved beyond code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Julien, while technical skills are important, two other dimensions are essential:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Great engineers do more than write efficient code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These capabilities multiply impact far more reliably than individual technical speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the strengths of this conversation is how concrete it is. Julien shares examples drawn from real experience, all of which can be applied immediately by engineers who want to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The discussion resonated strongly with me and aligns closely with the ideas Michael and I share in our book I am a Software Engineer and I am in Charge<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find more about Julien and his work here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are an engineer looking to grow, or a leader wondering how to support excellence without relying on hero myths, this episode offers a grounded and practical perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The real multiplier is not being 10x faster, but being 10x more connected to people, context, and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQuestioning the 10x engineer myth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Beyond technical excellence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Examples you can apply immediately<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Further references<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A final thought<\/h2>\n\n\n\n