Optics matter. You could be doing a shit job (as a developer), but if you keep up the good optics with the boss, agreeing to build a calculus app in the future, even though the multiplication api you are currently working on keeps throwing error, you'll look good.

True, but I think "optics" is also about "hassle".

Outside hyper competitive super tech jobs or outside having a really BAD job ... If your boss thinks you're trying and you're not throwing up complaints and roadblocks and etc. That's often enough to be considered a good worker, even if quality isn't technically great.

I've never been the top performer but endeavor to make sure I'm not hassling anyone... but still communicating things they care about.

I knew a guy who was super good at his job but he didn't talk to anyone, nobody really knew all the stuff he did. He talked about not wanting to 'brag' or that the other folks on the team kept talking up their work ... but really they were just communicating and he wasn't. He had a hard time.

@N00bPancakes I totally agree about the importance of proper communication. My frustration was more about the bull shit one gets to hear in some scenarios