[GoToRO]

starters - people you hire to act as programmers because you need headcount.

finishers - actual programmers.

guards - programmers that you should pay really well but you don't because you have a non-technical project manager and you think it's the same.

[fritzy]

I, the OP, am a starter myself. I was focused on finishers because they're often undervalued.

[GoToRO]

We all are starters in some way. The thing that helped me was to realize it and change my ways. Also it helps if starters do not run the show.

[haskellandchill]

This is very accurate. I was thinking I had value as a starter but you have put me in my place!

[GoToRO]

I was referring to the definition given in the article just to be clear.

[shanghaiaway]

Guards sound like supervisors. Starters are juniors. Finishers are senior.