The way of a leader - from junior to principal
Being responsible for several teams in an IT company is a real challenge. Especially if you are programming in such a unique language as RUST. Meet Marcin, who works as a principal and manages four teams that program in RUST and C#. Find out why he appreciates his team and what is particularly important to him while working at ANIXE.
You manage a very unique programming team because you work in RUST. Why did you choose this language?
We started using RUST, because at ANIXE we are always looking for new solutions, thanks to which we are able to improve our software. Our clients are constantly setting new requirements for us and expect better, faster and above all reliable software. RUST helps us to achieve this. It requires a completely different approach to programming. It forces the programmer to write every piece of code not only in terms of the business, but also in terms of the system processes that lie behind it. Personally, I would not like to write in any other language than RUST.
What do you feel are the challenges for a principal who manages so many teams?
One of the main challenges is the need to design comprehensive solutions that are then implemented by many teams, but they are creating business value as a whole. That is why I devote most of my time to solving technological problems, monitoring the software that has been created, supporting teams and designing solutions. In my mind, a principal is, first of all, an architect who must design the system in such a way that it is appropriate to the specifics of the business.
What values and skills do you appreciate most in your employees?
I manage four teams that program in RUST and C#, each of them works on different projects. This is why it’s very important to take responsibility for software development, creativity, an unconventional approach, a willingness to learn, an openness to new technologies and an ability to solve problems
Why do you value work at ANIXE?
From the perspective of a programmer, the most satisfying solution is the ability to create software that makes life easier for people in business and everyday life. I know that I am working on something that will find a practical application and really helps people. A big advantage is the method of finding solutions adopted here. In ANIXE, we choose the tools for the project, not the other way around. For example, if a project needs new functionality, and I know that writing it in C # or Ruby will be faster, then I choose the most efficient solution. Of course, this requires the right architecture for the entire system, which I am able to influence at ANIXE. As a programmer, I am happy that ANIXE is a company open to new technological solutions - practically everyone is enthusiastic about the introduction of a new technology or tool.
What do you enjoy doing after work in order to recharge your energy?
Daily physical exercises helps me relax and unwind. Sport and programming are my passions from an early age and I devote a lot of my free time to them.
From your perspective as a principal, what kind of advice would you give to developers who want to become a team leader or even principal?
The role of the leader is to pass on the vision of the project accordingly, it helps to build the commitment and motivation of the team. A true leader needs to have such soft skills as team management, assertiveness and effective communication. Therefore, it is worth developing these qualities to become a team leader or even principal in the future. However, an aspiring programmer must answer the very important question: can I work without programming? Can I design, browse the code, but not program?