25 Lessons from 25 Years

Ross, a software developer with over 25 years of experience, presents 25 lessons learned throughout his career at LoopConf in London. He divides his talk into three acts: challenges of working with people, complexities of coding, and the importance of self-care for developers. Emphasizing the unpredictability of people, Ross discusses teamwork, the necessity of setting high standards, embracing diversity, and understanding individual strengths within a team. He emphasizes the importance of writing simple, readable code, avoiding clever but unclear coding solutions, and the significance of standards and testing in preventing bugs. He also emphasizes the importance of moving frequently, utilizing high-quality tools, seeking mentorship, and maintaining mental well-being through practices such as keeping an ‘awesome log’ and writing things down to clear the mind. Ross concludes by encouraging open-mindedness in personal and professional growth.

What You’ll Learn

• Collaboration and empathy are as vital as technical skill in software work.
• Recognize the difference between facts and opinions — and be open to changing your own.
• Diversity, fair pay, and inclusive leadership create stronger, more productive teams.
• Write readable, maintainable code — clarity beats cleverness.
• Adopt standards, automate consistency, and respect legacy software.
• Practice self-care through movement, better tools, and mental space.
• Keep an “awesome log” or achievement journal to remind yourself of your value.
• Above all, stay open-minded — about people, technology, and yourself.