How to stand out in agile teams: the profile of the modern developer
Agile methodology has become standard in technology companies. But what many developers haven't yet realized is that the way of working has changed, and those who don't change along with it are left behind. Being a dev today goes beyond coding. Collaboration, product vision and autonomy define who really delivers value in agile teams. The dev who sits down, takes the task in Jira, delivers it at the end of the sprint and goes back to the backlog, without understanding what it's all about...
That dev is becoming obsolete.
What is expected of a dev in agile teams?
Forget that technical profile that only works in the “code and climb PR” mode. Today, working in agile teams requires a hybrid profile: technical + collaborative + strategic.
According to the State of Agile Report 2023, 71% of companies say that the main barrier to agile success is a lack of behavioral skills in technical teams. In other words, soft skills matter just as much as the stack.
The new profile of the modern developer
Do you want to be seen as someone essential in the team - and not just as a task-performer? Here are the pillars of the new profile that stands out in agile environments:
1. Product vision (not just code)
It's not enough to understand how the system works. You need to understand why it's being done. Dev asks: “What problem does this solve for the user?”. Understanding the business behind the feature turns the dev into a partner of the product team - and not just a hired hand.
2. Real collaboration (not just dailies and retro)
Agility isn't a framework, it's a mindset. If you take part in ceremonies but never contribute ideas, improvements or feedback, you're just doing the job. Devs who stand out propose, raise risks before they burst, suggest solutions. They don't wait to be asked, they take a stand.
3. Autonomy with responsibility
Agile teams work well when everyone knows what needs to be done and has the freedom to do it - with responsibility.
It's not “I'll do it my way and that's that”. It's taking ownership of deliveries, bugs and learning.
4. Ability to learn and adapt
Your favorite framework may go out of fashion. Your favorite database may not scale. Will you complain or will you learn what the team needs? The modern dev has the humility to let go and learn what the project requires.
5. Communication that connects
Knowing how to explain a solution to the PO, understanding what the designer needs, translating the client's bug into technical language. This separates devs who “deliver code” from devs who deliver value. Those who communicate well save rework and gain the team's trust.
Does being a specialist still matter?
Of course it does. Technical depth is still a differentiator. But in agile, specialists who don't know how to play in a team end up hindering more than helping. The ideal? Being a T-shaped dev: with depth in one or two areas, but with broad notions to collaborate in others.
What companies (and Verzel) are looking for
At Verzel, we hire devs who know how to deal with people. It's not enough to code beautifully. We want people who understand the client's problem, communicate clearly and take on delivery as if they owned the product.
In all our squads, we value those who are committed to the end goal - and not just to the task of the day.
The developer who stands out is the one who collaborates, understands the business, proposes improvements and takes responsibility for generating value. They know that code only makes sense when it solves someone's problem.
If you want to be this kind of professional, start looking beyond the IDE. Start seeing yourself as part of the team, not just the code.
Source:
State of Agile: State of Agile Report 2023