The FDE skill gap: most candidates are strong at science or art, not both

Think of it as art versus science. People who understand the science — systems, code, models — tend to stay in that lane, and people who understand the art — communication, business context, relationships — tend to stay in theirs. The Venn diagram does have overlap, but it's genuinely rare. That's exactly what makes the role so valuable and so hard to fill. However, the key insight is that becoming great at both is not out of reach. It's not a fixed trait. With the right road map — clearly understanding what each side demands and deliberately strengthening your weaker side — you can develop into a true FDE. The goal of laying this out clearly is precisely so that people who are strong on one side can see what they need to build on the other.