Peter Cepeda

Effort alone doesn't create value. Like diamonds, great engineering work is judged by its cut, color, clarity, carat—and cost. Here's how to evaluate what you build before polishing another pointless feature.

Managing a shared codebase is like sharing a house. You don't need it spotless, but you do need it functional. Clean the shared spaces, let go of clutter, and know when not to add more code. Code like you live there.

You don’t need to sell out to get ahead. Here’s a candid take on building a personal brand at work that actually sticks—through impact, visibility, and consistency—without compromising who you are.

Positivity is a sword—powerful, but easy to misuse. If you flaunt it, hide it, or force it on others, it loses its edge. The key is to wield it with care: not as a performance, but with purpose, presence, and respect.

What happens when high performance gets misunderstood? When speed, depth, and initiative are labeled risky? This post breaks down the experience—and the playbook—for high performers navigating slow systems.

I was warned my review might land at “partially meets expectations.” Here’s the feedback I received, the context they missed, and the full-stack architectural refactor they misunderstood as a misstep.