are there people that when you hang around them make you better in some way? which way and how?

Prolly, one thing is for sure, if you hang around with losers and thus lower your standard of friend requirements, you become an loser yourself

I've got a sr engineer who's really good at delivering. Usually to the detriment of everything else, but the business likes it, so he makes money

Yes

One of those is groups is people here talking about coding topics I had not heard about. I have watched and learned a lot here.

I am also glad to know I don't have a giant shitting problem other people have. Makes one grateful.