The Legendary Team

Once upon a time, two wise managers met to form the first infrastructure team. They sought a name — a name that would embody strength, distinction, and memorability.

As the hours stretched into the evening, they opened a bottle of wine, hoping it might spark inspiration. With each sip, the conversation deepened, and amidst their discussions, the name revealed itself. Whether it was brilliance or simply the wine speaking, the idea of naming the team after the very bottle in their hands felt undeniably right.

There are not many software development teams whose stories start like this one. I was lucky to be a part of it. It was the best working experience I have had so far, and since I left, I have been thinking a lot about what made them so special.

I called the team "Legendary" not just because of its stellar reputation but because it literally had a legend. This legend, much like a mythology or religion, came with its own rituals and stories. At some point, it even felt like a cult.

The legend was always retold with slight variations, depending on the narrator's creativity, but its core ideas remained unchanged.

Any legend has its heroes, and each has its unique strengths and weaknesses.

This team wasn't exceptional. Over the brief existence of the team, fewer than ten members were part of this tale. But in this legend, there's no such thing as an "ex-hero." Every member was immortalized in the hall of fame: a shared Telegram channel where the bond remained unbroken.

The Heroes

During my chapter in this legend, the team consisted of:

The Worker

Genuine, honest, steady. The man who brought unwavering consistency to the team. He found beauty in the rhythm of work, excelling at performing at the same high level every single day. It didn't matter whether the task was exciting or tedious — he would approach it with the same quiet dedication and pride. His reliability was the foundation the team could always lean on.

The Artist

The man who couldn't settle for routine — monotony drained his energy. Instead, he thrived on innovation, constantly seeking to do things differently and better. Perfection wasn't just a goal; it was his standard, even if it meant investing twice the time. His creativity and refusal to follow the ordinary made his work stand out, inspiring the team to see problems through a different lens.

The Leader

Or perhaps, Mr. President. The driver of the process, armed with an unwavering determination and a clear sense of purpose. Despite the overwhelming number of projects the team juggled, he managed to keep everything under control. His ambition to rule the world — or at least conquer the challenges before him — ensured the team stayed organized and on course, no matter the surrounding chaos.

The Newcomer

The newest addition to the team, still searching for his identity and place in the story. While he was undetermined, caught between finding his path and the influence of others, he seemed to aspire to follow in The Artist's footsteps, drawn to the allure of creativity and innovation. Yet, before he could embrace the Artist's freedom, he needed to prove himself through hard work and complete dedication. The path to self-expression wasn't easy — it required mastering the basics and earning his place.

The Creators

Though I never worked directly with them, their presence was always felt — whether during work or moments of leisure, often accompanied by a glass of the Legendary Wine.

They were like Titans, their skills surpassing our limits, their feats so extraordinary that they seemed worthy of being etched into walls and immortalized in song.

Me

While I can write my thoughts about others, I can't say much about myself, as my story is multidimensional, and this very essay is only a small part of the bigger picture. Like any protagonist in a story, I was developing throughout my journey, carving my own unique path. It wasn't always easy to define who I was or what I represented, as my journey didn't fit neatly into one role.

I explored different aspects of the team, shifting between responsibilities and collaborating with the heroes, each of whom left a piece of themselves that became a part of me. And as in every story about a main character, growth comes with time and experience — sometimes, the journey is just as important as the destination.

Each hero often had their own path, and quite frequently, we worked alone. Yet, the sense of disconnection disappeared the moment something happened — whether it was an on-call emergency or a complex design challenge. No matter the hour, everyone would gather, ready to support one another. Those moments were legendary.

Beyond a strong sense of ownership in their duties, each team member felt accountable to one another. Such loyalty made work more than just a job — it became a community built on shared interests.

Our team spirit wasn't fueled by gold or personal accolades but by something far more enduring. Traditions and shared stories wove together a culture that couldn't be bought. It took time, trust, and dedication to build, but every second was worth it.

The traditions kept us together, uniting us across distances and fortifying our bond. We celebrated anniversaries and gathered around the fire to share legends. We believed ourselves to be exceptional in many ways — better than other teams — and we did everything to prove it every day. This sense of superiority set high standards for every member, making the title of Legendary team member incredibly valuable. You have to be worth it. And when you do, the bottle of the Legendary wine is opened by one of the Creators, and everybody greets you with glasses, spending the whole evening celebrating. Each time a bottle was opened, it felt as though the same story — the story that led to the team's creation — was brought to life again, reminding everyone of the ideals that bound them together.

Collaboration

When I joined the team, I felt like a Dovahkiin coming to the Greybeards to learn their ancient wisdom. Each chapter of my journey allowed me to work alongside a hero and learn from their strengths. Every interaction shaped my path and made my story richer.

The Worker and the Newcomer worked remotely, and while I deeply value the time spent with them, I was never able to form bonds as strong through a camera as I could face-to-face.

The most remarkable time was with the Artist, and I wasn't the only one who liked working with him. He taught me how to love the work and how to see the beauty in places where I couldn't imagine finding it before. It was exciting to see the world through his prism, and I motivated myself to become like him. However, it wasn't that easy. He is not the one who stops learning at some point, so no matter how long you are learning, he is always ahead. It felt like competition with yourself cause each time when you compared, the etalon was still N years ahead of you. It's rare to find such an example to follow, and I was lucky to learn from him.

When I thought about it, I imagined that he was the Heisenberg and I was Pinkman.

It was only when I left the team that I understood how much I'd taken from him. Sometimes, his voice breaks in, and I feel like I have no control over it.

Working together, we formed strong bonds, which remain to this day and among one of the most important in my life.

When I first joined, I knew little about the Artist. I was more drawn to the Leader.

We were close in age, and it felt like we had faced similar challenges in life. Each one-on-one with him felt like therapy — a space where I felt truly understood and could trust him. It's rare to encounter someone so dedicated to their teammates' mental well-being at work. The tools he gave me didn't just make me a better professional; they made me a better person overall.

The Leader and the Artist had already formed strong relationships, and when I first met them, they had fun together. The whole story of how I met them was another legend that we also told many times.

We spent a lot of time together outside of work, which some might consider an unhealthy work-life balance. But for me, as someone with a Dunbar's number far below average, it was the perfect way to maintain just enough communication to meet my social needs. Besides, when people genuinely enjoy their work, it doesn't hurt to talk about it whenever the opportunity arises.

Learning is a social process, and having a community that shares the same learning goals is incredibly beneficial for progress. It accelerates growth and provides constant motivation to keep improving.

We travelled, shared dinners, helped each other move flats, and celebrated milestones together. It felt like I didn't just find the perfect job — I found a new family. Legendary family. And when the world changes, when you move to another country or face new challenges, this family becomes one of the few stable parts of your life, helping you survive and adapt.

Some people dream of combining their hobbies with their work. I think I managed to combine all three: hobby, work, and family.

Reflection

Throughout my career, I have pursued new opportunities to learn and earn more. Yet, while I gained diverse experiences, I never truly immersed myself in what I learned. It felt like scrolling through TikTok — I knew there was something there, but I had no idea how it worked beneath the surface.

To gain a proper understanding — the Mechanical Sympathy for my craft — I had to slow down. I needed to stay in one place long enough to comprehend, to feel it more profound. The connection I had with my team brought me peace and stopped my restless search for something new. I worked at the company for almost four years, and not once did I consider leaving. I thought, As long as the Legendary Team exists, I know where I belong. Whatever challenges we faced, I never doubted us.

Such dedication might have had its downsides, hidden in my blind spots, but I never noticed them because I was so deeply immersed in my work. The job consumed my life, yet I never felt the need for a break. The team gave me a sense of purpose — an activity that could fulfill me for a lifetime. It was my Ikigai.

I don't know how often people get the chance to work with such an extraordinary team, but I was lucky to have found one.