name checks out. One of my bosses used to tell me to slow down a bit when I was too fast with something, saying "we don't want to ruin the prices, do we" by which he meant that constantly acting as fast as you can will just make everyone expect they can have more, cheaper and in shorter time.
> Over the years I met more truly obsessive “10x” engineers. One of them would hear a feature idea at Friday all-hands and by Monday he had built and shipped it.
I'll get you a job in roofing. You know the industry where your coworkers are famously appreciative of colleagues who, when the contract is signed Friday afternoon, they can't hold unto themselves and sneakily work on the construction site Saturday, Sunday, and all night so the roof is finished! by Monday much to the amazement of everyone else who was in dire need of a day off.
> I don’t think 10x engineers feel at home in most companies, which is probably why so many become founders.
I think part of why they leave is because to everyone around them it's a relieving "good riddance, good bye" the day they see the last of them.
bigyabai · 4h ago
Well, that's not 10x engineering. In the most optimal scenario, it probably shakes out to "2x engineering" (if you actually work 80h/week) but we all know you're not steaming away a 996 at 100% dedication.
People who are 10x engineers simply demonstrate it - Woz, Carmack, we don't ask how many hours they worked because it never mattered. Their effort is self-evident, they don't masturbate their ego or espouse hustle-culture because it isn't corollary to their success.
SilverElfin · 3h ago
Not sure why you’re downvoted but I agree. First off most who claim they work 80-100 hours aren’t actually doing that. It’s what they demand of others verbally and what others pretend to do. Everyone knows everyone is lying. And even if they’re at the desk, their productivity is not as good beyond 50 or so hours. Maybe even lower. I doubt 80 hours is 2x 40 hours. And as you said, in any field, it’s not about time but skills, passion, etc.
name checks out. One of my bosses used to tell me to slow down a bit when I was too fast with something, saying "we don't want to ruin the prices, do we" by which he meant that constantly acting as fast as you can will just make everyone expect they can have more, cheaper and in shorter time.
> Over the years I met more truly obsessive “10x” engineers. One of them would hear a feature idea at Friday all-hands and by Monday he had built and shipped it.
I'll get you a job in roofing. You know the industry where your coworkers are famously appreciative of colleagues who, when the contract is signed Friday afternoon, they can't hold unto themselves and sneakily work on the construction site Saturday, Sunday, and all night so the roof is finished! by Monday much to the amazement of everyone else who was in dire need of a day off.
> I don’t think 10x engineers feel at home in most companies, which is probably why so many become founders.
I think part of why they leave is because to everyone around them it's a relieving "good riddance, good bye" the day they see the last of them.
People who are 10x engineers simply demonstrate it - Woz, Carmack, we don't ask how many hours they worked because it never mattered. Their effort is self-evident, they don't masturbate their ego or espouse hustle-culture because it isn't corollary to their success.