Code of Leadership: Arun’s Journey to Excellence Using the 7E Framework

Chandan Lal Patary
7 min readDec 28, 2024

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A Software Developer’s Journey to Excellence Using the 7E Leadership Framework

Arun, a software developer, had always been passionate about coding.

However, he began to feel that his progress had plateaued due to challenges like tight deadlines, dealing with complex bugs, and finding new ways to improve his skills.

He realized that while he was technically skilled, his approach to work and his personal growth could be better.

After learning about the 7E Leadership Framework, he decided to apply these principles to elevate his career and become a more effective developer.

Here’s how he did it:

1. Ethics: Doing the Right Thing

Ethics is a foundational aspect of software development, influencing not only how you write code but also how you interact with your team, users, and clients. Arun recognized that in the fast-paced world of software, it’s easy to take shortcuts — whether in code quality, security practices, or meeting deadlines. But he decided that doing the right thing would always be his top priority.

Instead of rushing to meet deadlines by writing messy or unclear code, Arun dedicated extra time to ensure his code was clean, properly commented, and followed best practices. He respected privacy regulations, making sure to implement data security measures to safeguard user information. He always made sure that the software adhered to legal guidelines and industry standards. This transparency and integrity in his work earned him a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy developer. His colleagues began to see him as a go-to person for advice, knowing he would always act with honesty and integrity. This ethical approach didn’t just enhance his personal brand but also fostered trust within his team and with clients.

2. Envisioning: Seeing Opportunities

Arun learned that effective software development wasn’t just about tackling current problems, but about thinking ahead. He started looking beyond immediate project tasks and focusing on what the future might hold, both for his team and the technology they were working with. This visionary approach allowed him to anticipate needs and challenges that hadn’t yet emerged, enabling him to stay ahead of the curve.

While working on a project to develop a web application, Arun didn’t just think about fixing bugs or adding basic features. He envisioned how the system could evolve over time, considering factors like scalability, performance, and potential integrations with emerging technologies. He proposed a more modular design for the system, ensuring that it would be easier to scale and update in the future. Arun also explored how machine learning could be integrated into the app to automate tasks and improve user experience. By thinking big-picture and planning for the future, Arun became an invaluable resource for his team, adding strategic value beyond the technical implementation.

3. Endurance: Leading with Resilience

Software development is filled with challenges — unpredictable bugs, system crashes, shifting project requirements, and tight timelines. Arun realized that in order to succeed, he needed to develop resilience. Instead of getting frustrated when things went wrong, he learned to persist, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward.

Arun’s team faced a particularly difficult challenge when a critical bug kept crashing the system during the final stages of a project. While many of his teammates were ready to give up, Arun refused to let frustration take over. He calmly analyzed the issue, seeking alternative solutions and collaborating with others to troubleshoot the problem. Even after several failed attempts, he maintained his focus on the goal and didn’t lose hope.

He learned from each mistake, improving his problem-solving skills and strengthening his ability to handle pressure. Over time, Arun became more resilient and was able to tackle even the toughest challenges with confidence. His ability to stay focused on the long-term goal, despite immediate setbacks, not only helped him grow but also motivated his team to stay strong and keep pushing through difficulties.

4. Excellence: Committing to High Standards

Arun understood that excellence in software development wasn’t just about completing tasks on time. It was about delivering high-quality solutions that stood out for their performance, functionality, and clarity. He knew that he had to consistently push himself to improve and commit to the highest standards of quality.

When Arun was assigned to develop a new feature for an app, he didn’t settle for just getting the job done. He made sure his code was optimized for performance, ensuring that the feature would work smoothly even under heavy usage. He also ran comprehensive tests to ensure that the feature would be bug-free before it went live. Additionally, Arun paid attention to the user interface, ensuring that it was intuitive and easy to use. He made sure to document every part of his code, so that other developers could easily understand and maintain it in the future. Arun regularly sought feedback from his peers, always aiming to improve. This commitment to excellence helped him stand out as a developer who delivered exceptional results, earning him the respect of his team and supervisors.

5. Encouragement: Building Motivation

Arun understood that technical skills alone were not enough to ensure the success of a project. A motivated team was just as important. He made it a priority to encourage his teammates, recognizing their hard work, celebrating their successes, and helping them stay motivated through tough times.

When a colleague solved a complex bug, Arun made sure to publicly acknowledge their efforts in team meetings, giving credit where it was due. He understood the power of recognition, especially in a high-pressure environment like software development. He also took time to help others, offering his support when team members were stuck.

Whether it was helping them troubleshoot a tricky problem or providing guidance on a particular coding technique, Arun made sure his teammates felt supported. By fostering an atmosphere of positivity and encouragement, Arun helped keep the team motivated, which ultimately contributed to the success of their projects. His encouragement created a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, where everyone felt valued and inspired to do their best work.

6. Enablement: Empowering Others

Arun believed that true leadership wasn’t about personal success but about helping others grow and reach their potential. He made it a priority to share his knowledge, mentor junior developers, and provide resources that would help his team become more skilled and self-sufficient.

Arun didn’t keep his knowledge to himself; he actively mentored junior developers on his team, helping them understand complex coding concepts and best practices. He created a series of tutorials on new tools and frameworks, ensuring that his colleagues had access to resources that could help them improve.

Arun also set up knowledge-sharing sessions where team members could discuss emerging technologies or lessons learned from past projects. By enabling his teammates with the right knowledge and tools, Arun not only helped them grow in their careers but also made the entire team more effective and cohesive. His commitment to empowerment ensured that everyone had the opportunity to succeed.

7. Effectiveness: Getting Things Done

Arun understood that effectiveness was about producing results, not just completing tasks. He made sure that his work always contributed to the larger goals of the project, whether it was improving performance, meeting user needs, or solving critical issues.

Arun was working on a project with a tight deadline, and he had to implement a new feature. Rather than focusing solely on writing code, he always kept the bigger picture in mind. He asked himself how his work would improve the user experience and how it would align with the project’s goals. For example, when optimizing the app’s performance, he prioritized tasks that would have the biggest impact on the overall user experience, such as reducing loading times and improving responsiveness. Instead of simply coding a solution, he focused on delivering outcomes that contributed to the success of the project. His focus on effectiveness meant that he wasn’t just completing tasks — he was ensuring that each line of code moved the project closer to its goals.

By applying the 7E Leadership Framework, Arun transformed not just his technical abilities but also his approach to work and leadership. Over time, his commitment to ethics, excellence, encouragement, resilience, and empowering others led him to become an influential and respected software developer. He learned that success in the field wasn’t just about being a good coder — it was about leading with integrity, vision, and a focus on continuous improvement, both for himself and for his team.

Coming soon….

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Chandan Lal Patary
Chandan Lal Patary

Written by Chandan Lal Patary

Author:-The Agilist’s Guidebook | The Scrum Master Guidebook | Personal Leadership and Self-Coaching Guidebook | High Performance Team Coaching Guidebook

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