I believe in finding solutions to real-world problems efficiently and practically. I tap into a lot of the things I’ve learned over the course of my career and through my mentors, seniors, and peers. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the value of working with individuals who have a vision that extends beyond the already solved or semi-solved problems, whether in e-commerce, fintech, or any other vertical. While thinking outside the box might not be my default approach, I’ve learned that surrounding yourself with people who challenge your boundaries can lead to more interesting, and for me, more challenging projects.

I often find comfort in what I know and what I’ve done before as a developer. We have our go-to programming languages, frameworks, and tools that we can rely on to get the job done. There’s nothing inherently wrong with sticking to what works, but there’s a danger in becoming too comfortable and even complacent. When we limit ourselves to the problems we’ve already solved, we miss out on the opportunity to explore the vast landscape of possibilities that lie beyond our current knowledge.

Working with peers and coworkers who have a vision that goes beyond the status quo can be hugely beneficial. People with large visions challenge us to think differently, to consider new approaches, and to tackle problems that might initially seem out of reach. It’s through these challenges that we experience real growth as developers. It’s how we got ChatGPT (generative AI), Google (search), Amazon (e-commerce), and Facebook (social), etc.

Imagine a scenario where you’re working on a project with someone who envisions not just what can be done, but what could be done. Suddenly, the limitations you once thought of as constraints start to blur. You’re encouraged to explore uncharted territories, experiment with cutting-edge technologies, and push the boundaries of what you thought was possible. Sometimes it just takes a few questions to go from “I know how to do that” to “I think it can be done but need some time to think it through.” Recently, this has most recently come up with the ChatGPT API and three.js (a cross-browser JavaScript library used to create and display animated 3D graphics in the browser) with me

A benefit of surrounding yourself with visionary thinkers is the stimulation of creativity (“you’re only as good as the people who you surround yourself with“) – practicality ensures that solutions are feasible and efficient, but creativity fuels and drives innovation. Collaborating with individuals who dream big encourages you to break free from the confines of routine problem-solving and start thinking about the bigger picture.

You’re only as good as the people who you surround yourself with

In a team where diverse perspectives are valued, ideas flow freely, and brainstorming sessions become dynamic and inspiring. You find yourself not just solving problems but anticipating future challenges and envisioning solutions that are not only practical but groundbreaking.

The benefit and main idea of working with those who see beyond the immediate horizon is the exposure to the unsolved and unknown. It’s about embracing uncertainty and seeing it not as a hindrance but as an opportunity for exploration. The ability to venture into uncharted territory, fueled by a collective vision, can lead to remarkable discoveries and innovations.

I’ve come to realize that it’s not about abandoning all the practical ways I’ve learned to solve problems, but rather to keep expanding my mindset to include what could be. It’s about understanding that sometimes, the most valuable solutions emerge when we step out of our areas of comfort and dive into the challenges that lie beyond the scope of what’s already known for you and more broadly, what’s known in general.

Thanks to Rob Tyrie, who recently helped inspire this blog post.