[throwaway0asd]

> I asked people on reddit what was the best way to grow as a dev and become better

Depends upon how you define better. For many people that means becoming more employable, such as hot trends using a tool or framework. For me becoming better means writing original software solving challenging original problems.

After interviewing exhaustively over the past year the aspect that determines better is not so much company size but quality of leadership.

Most people in software have no idea what leadership looks like, which makes evaluating for strong leadership all but impossible. If you want to get better you need momma bird to kick you out of the nest so that you are forced to spread your wings.

[MahajanVardhan]

>Most people in software have no idea what leadership looks like, which makes evaluating for strong leadership all but impossible.

what does it look like according to you?

[r_hoods_ghost]

Not the OP but I think this depends to an extent on your personality. A surprisingly large number of people (especially devs) like being micro managed. If you're this type of person a good / strong leader is someone who will assign you small tasks, or allow you to pick from a short list, specify how the tasks should be carried out, and then gives honest, constructive feedback at very short intervals. (Squints in the direction of scrum) Other people value autonomy and essentially want a leader who will present you with a large menu of tasks that you can complete in whatever way you see fit, enable you to learn, and buffer you from higher ups.

Finally some people want a figurehead who sets a clear direction and trusts everyone to move towards that goal and self organise, and otherwise leaves you alone. Many people say they want this and then when given it run away screaming.

[MahajanVardhan]

This is quite insightful. I will have to reflect and figure out what I like, tho I have a general idea of the kind of dev I am

[throwaway0asd]

As a CW2 in the army who is playing Major under unrealistic expectations leadership to me looks like trust and ownership. Let your people own their product and be unwavering in setting high expectations. Be firm. Don’t let whining and insecurity dictate your delivery.