Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Managing a Team of Developers Is a Bit Like Managing a Stock Portfolio

When we hire, we talk a lot about “culture fit”, technical skills, and adaptability. But what if we shifted the perspective a little?

Picture your team as a portfolio of assets.

▸ The bonds

These are the stable, reliable, predictable developers. They are not out to “reinvent the wheel” but to ship, week after week, clean code and solid features. They reassure the investors (or the managers 😉). Their return is not spectacular, but it is steady.

▸ The high-volatility stocks

These are the “hackers”, the “ninja devs”, the ones who break conventions, who experiment, who innovate, sometimes a little too much. They can launch the team to new heights… or trigger the occasional small crash. Their potential return is high, but you have to accept the risk.

▸ And your role is that of a portfolio manager

Your job is not to hold only bonds: the team would become too cautious, too slow to adapt. But it is not to hold only speculative stocks either: chaos is waiting.

The real value of a tech manager is knowing how to diversify your portfolio of talent:

a stable core of solid, reliable developers,

a handful of free spirits able to explore new directions,

and a framework (process, culture, mentorship) that channels that diversity toward a shared goal.

Because a balanced team, like a good portfolio, grows over time, absorbs shocks, and seizes opportunities.

So what does your portfolio of developers look like today? 📈 More bonds, or more stocks?

Does this resonate with your team?

Let's talk about how Atypical Consulting can help you move forward.

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