The Myth of the 10x Developer

Are you a 10x dev? Probably not - and that’s a good thing. The “10x” idea often ignores collaboration, communication, and long-term impact. Here's a quick self-check. For each question, answer Yes (1 point), Maybe (0.5), or No (0).

1. Do you regularly push code without reviews?
2. Would teammates say your code is hard to understand?
3. Do you avoid documentation because it slows you down?
4. Have you ever secretly fixed someone else’s code without telling them?
5. Do you skip writing tests for “simple changes”?
6. When onboarding new team members, do you leave them to figure things out?
7. Is your favorite compliment “Wow, you’re fast”?
8. Do you avoid pairing or mentoring because it breaks your focus?
9. Would you rather rewrite code than understand existing logic?
10. Do you secretly believe you’re the best developer on your team?

Score:

• 0–2: Team player. You scale through others. Keep it up.
• 2.5–5: Efficient but drifting. Rethink your impact.
• 5.5–10: Lone wolf alert. Fast doesn’t mean sustainable.