Bad Mentor But Great At Code: What the 10x Engineer Looks Like!

The “10x engineer” skips meetings, is not being punctual. But then again, he is amazing at code.

The 10x engineer is a much sought after breed in Silicon Valley.

But how does one identify him? Well, a thread on Twitter attempted to do just that... and got lots of reactions from developers and the common folk alike!

10x engineers

Founders if you ever come across this rare breed of engineers, grab them. If you have a 10x engineer as part of your first few engineers, you increase the odds of your startup success significantly.

OK, here is a tough question.

How do you spot a 10x engineer?

— Shekhar Kirani (@skirani) July 11, 2019

Some of the stereotypical behaviors of the "10x engineer" mentioned in this thread include skipping meetings, not being punctual, and just generally being bad team players. But then again, they are amazing at code.

Ever since the 10x engineer thread was posted on Twitter, it has sparked a discussion on the platform. While some are saying an early stage startup needs such coding geniuses, others are calling them prima donnas.

Hell, there’s even a parody already!

oh @skirani what have you done😎 #10xEngineer I need to find them now! https://t.co/SNinBM4eBs

— Kamal Karanth A (@Kamalkaranth) July 14, 2019

Me, trying to become a 10x engineer #10Xengineer #10Xdeveloper pic.twitter.com/wKZ56SscOc

— 𝔻𝕖𝕖𝕡𝕦 𝕂 𝕊𝕒𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕟 (@deepu105) July 13, 2019

The 10x engineer guy today #10xEngineer pic.twitter.com/Q5WgN8fm9q

— derek kwan (@kwansfull) July 13, 2019

10x bhelpuri guy

Starts with why!
Gets the right amount of spicyness
Does cross-selling while small talking
Gives masali puri at the end
Speaks native language
Gives referral bonus
1 min del for prime
Takes feedback#10x #10xEngineer #startups @YourStoryCo @SharmaShradha pic.twitter.com/DzlXx7itBT

— Pratik Bhavsar (@a_random_obsrvr) July 14, 2019

Life as a 10x engineer pic.twitter.com/bdsHTw0QEv

— Cassidy Williams (@cassidoo) July 13, 2019

You don’t recruit him, your CEO calls him and gives a job. #10xEngineer

— Chandan Mishra (@Chandanblog) July 14, 2019

all these years I thought The Silicon Valley is a comedy TV show, but apparently it's a documentary #10xEngineer

— Michael Sverdlik (@m1keil) July 14, 2019

Why are we even still talking about the #10xEngineer?

Here’s a talk I gave last year on why it’s a silly concept that’s actually hurting your team and the industry in general. https://t.co/JdnMp0CA5I

— April Wensel (@aprilwensel) July 13, 2019

Here you go, Twitter! #10xEngineer https://t.co/uWwhnotwQT

— Siwalik Mukherjee ⚡️ (@siwalikm) July 13, 2019

How do you spot a 10x engineer?

No need. They’ll tell you.

— Scott Hanselman (@shanselman) July 13, 2019

For those rare times you're in the office, when a pleb from the team comes over to ask a question, put on the look of a pained genius. Follow that with with a facepalm. They'll soon go away and be useless again, leaving you to continue being fantastic. #10xEngineer

— 10x Engineer (@engineer_10x) July 14, 2019

But this one kinda wins the hearts!

I used to be a #10xEngineer & thot way too much of myself until I got to know my first boss a bit better. I joined when we were a 20 ppl company and after 2 years we got bought out. My boss taught me tht empathy & camaraderie will take me a lot further than being an asshole (1/2)

— Aryan Oberoi (@beingarryan) July 14, 2019

What’s your take on the 10x engineer? Will you hire one if you had a startup?