The Disconnect Between “Good Code” and Career Advancement: How to Navigate

the Tech Industry’s Recognition Game

As a software engineer, it’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking career success is directly tied to technical excellence—writing clean, efficient, and well-architected code. After all, this is what we’re taught to value, and it’s what many of us take pride in. But here’s the harsh reality: In many work environments, good code doesn’t always get recognized, and it’s often not the quality of your work that propels you forward in your career. Instead, visibility, perceived competence, and the ability to navigate office politics can sometimes play a bigger role.

In the tech world, technical flexing—where people flaunt trivial or recent knowledge, critique others’ work, or show off the latest buzzwords—often overshadows quiet, consistent effort. In these environments, it can feel like people who focus on speed and superficial knowledge seem to advance faster, while those who care about writing well-crafted software are overlooked, even if their code is more sustainable and scalable in the long term.

Why “Good Code” Gets Overlooked

There are several reasons why writing great code doesn’t always lead to recognition:

  • Lack of Technical Awareness at Higher Levels: Decision-makers may not fully appreciate the difference between clean, maintainable code and quick fixes.
  • Speed Over Quality: Many teams prioritize shipping quickly over taking the time to write high-quality software.
  • Visibility vs. Substance: Those who are loud, visible, and talk confidently about tech often gain more recognition than those who quietly do excellent work.

A Strategic Approach to Career Growth

It doesn’t have to be all about technical flexing. Writing good software still matters, but you need to balance it with strategies that help you stand out. Here’s how you can navigate the system and ensure your work is recognized:

  1. Align With Business Goals: Link the quality of your work to tangible business outcomes. Show how your well-written code leads to fewer bugs, better performance, or faster product iterations.

  2. Use Code Reviews Wisely: Don’t just critique others—articulate the reasoning behind your decisions. This signals depth and expertise while contributing to improving the codebase.

  3. Leverage Your Network: Build relationships with those who can recognize your contributions. Make sure the right people know about the impact of your work.

  4. Speak the Language of Impact: Learn to frame your technical work in ways that resonate with the company’s broader goals, even if it’s not a direct technical discussion. Be strategic in explaining how your contributions solve problems.

  5. Embrace Mentorship and Leadership: When you have the chance, mentor others or take ownership of projects. This shows that you’re not just technically proficient but also a team player capable of leading and guiding others.

Conclusion: Writing Good Software and Playing the Game

In the end, good code is still invaluable—but it often doesn’t speak for itself unless you help it get heard. The key is strategically balancing your technical expertise with visibility and being able to communicate your value to the team and the organization. While you shouldn’t have to sacrifice the integrity of your work to advance, you also don’t have to let others’ superficial posturing outshine your contributions. By finding ways to showcase your technical impact and align with business objectives, you can ensure that your hard work gets the recognition it deserves, and ultimately, propel your career forward.

This post could serve as a great reminder to engineers that, while coding is at the heart of our work, navigating workplace dynamics and communicating value can make all the difference in career progression. Would love to hear your thoughts on this—how do you balance writing good software with the visibility game in your own career?