If you work at a company where hard work is actually recognized, you’re in a great spot.
I’m being really deliberate with the word “recognized” here. I don’t mean incentivized, encouraged, or expected. Those all create very different environments, and it’s a fine balancing act to get right.
Expecting people to work more is probably the worst approach. Nobody likes being told what to do - especially smart engineers.
Why do you want me to work overtime? Who says I can’t solve the problem more quickly?
When the expectation exists to work overtime, people can’t find the right balance. It quickly becomes unhealthy because there’s no real choice.
You shouldn’t really encourage it either. It’s a slippery slope - what starts as encouragement quickly becomes the baseline expectation. Sure, thank someone for going above and beyond, but it can’t be the only way people get recognition. Otherwise you’re basically saying everyone else’s work doesn’t matter.
And let’s be honest, that extra mile often isn’t even necessary.
But don’t stop people from doing more either. If someone’s motivated and wants to push themselves, that’s a sign they actually care. Maybe they want to learn something new, or they’re obsessed with solving a particular problem.
If you create an environment where there’s no room to go above and beyond, you’re basically putting a ceiling on ambition. And trust me - that’s one of the quickest ways to lose your best people. Nobody wants to feel held back.
Finding the right balance is everything. And if you’re a manager, you need to figure this out for each person individually. Pay attention to what’s actually happening with your team.
Here’s the harsh truth: If someone burns out? Your fault. If people quit because they feel unrecognized? Your fault. If everything feels like it takes forever? Also your fault.
Being a manager is unforgiving like that.
Industry advantage
Putting in the hours definitely pays off. I know this because honestly? It’s probably one of the things that differentiates me from others.
More hours don’t automatically mean better work - they just mean more work. But here’s the thing: the more you do something, the better you get at it. That’s just how it works.
We all go through different phases anyway. “All gas, no brakes” isn’t sustainable long-term. Sometimes you need those periods where 9-to-5 is enough. Where you just coast for a bit.
But only doing that forever? That feels too mundane. At least for me.
Working in tech - especially software - gives you possibilities other fields just don’t have. You can theoretically put in as many hours as you want.
Double-edged sword? Absolutely.
But think about it: as a software engineer, you’re not tied to a specific location. You don’t need heavy machinery. All you need is a laptop and maybe internet access. That’s it.
If you want to do more, you can. Compare that to someone who needs to be in a specific place with specific equipment to do their job. We have a huge advantage here.
If you’re able to do more and feel motivated to do it, I can tell you from personal experience - it pays off. Maybe not tomorrow, but it compounds over time.
The people who care enough to put in the work get an almost unfair advantage over those who don’t.
So lean into it. Just don’t burn yourself out in the process.