The Heroes Sylar’s approach to being a better software developer

Remember this guy? If not, well then you have not had the privilege of watching the Heroes tv series which aired a few years back. It did go downhill after the first couple of seasons though.

Sylar was a character who used to murder people with powers and take their powers. He cuts their head open and figures out how their power works and mimics it. Yes gruesome indeed, but that’s not the point of this post.

With everyone in lockdown these days, I started watching Heroes again(only the good parts) on Amazon Prime. It got me thinking. Sylar, although is the villain in this story, he was the smartest guy on the show.

As a software developer, this kind of hit me. From early on in my career, I formed a habit of figuring out the smartest people in the organization I worked at and to learn from them. If I wanted to be better at what I do, although self-learning is one of the best ways too, it does not even come close to learning from people better than you.

To come to that point, I had to leave my ego behind and understand that you cannot thrive in this world alone. A little help goes a long way. It should be a reciprocative process where you do not only take, but give as well. It might not be to the same person, but it is your own responsibility to pass on what you learn to the next person who needs help.

Getting back to our dear protagonist of this post Sylar by himself was not the strongest. The only power he had was the power of imitating by learning how other’s powers actually worked. The skill of knowing how to learn elevated him to the next level of being a formidable force.

Knowing how to learn is in my opinion, one of the best skills you can acquire as a software developer. Especially in our line of work, the day you stop learning is the day you stop growing due to the fast phased nature of how technology keeps growing.

Learning from others not only helps you be better, but it also helps elevate the team’s culture and inculcate a sense of camaraderie among the team members.

If you are the smartest person in the room, you need to find a new room.

I truly believe that you will continue to grow and be better as long as you continue to learn from others who are better at what you do that you are and take you to that next level in your career.

Every day is another opportunity to explore, so why not give it a try if you have not already. May the force of Sylar be with you!