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I didn't think this were true when I started out programming in the field, but now that I've been working for a few years, I've discovered this:

While your technical expertise does matter, it does not weigh as hard through as how likeable you are; that's right, likeable. You can be an idiot, yet if you make people like you and pull the right strings, people will think you're this grand genius (while you're not!). How perception matters..

Soft skills matter somewhat, but I discovered they can make or break it. I noticed people like to be idiots and frolic around instead of taking things seriously that need to be taken seriously.

Here I am, with my expertise. People don't like me - and it makes them judge me the wrong way, like I'm stupid. Yes, imagine that, you with more skills, being looked at as stupid by idiots with little the fewer skills.

It would be neat if I were valued for my skills, not how much someone likes me!

This industry is... disappointing.

Comments
  • 0
    what if you became more likeable? I think it's pretty natural for people to want to listen to someone they like no?
  • 4
    ha you think this is just in the software industry? its hierarchical apes all the way down
  • 1
    @iceb They should listen to logical reason, not to likeability.
  • 0
    Being able to not make everyone hate working with you is a skill. For most people it comes naturally, others need to practice. I know a brilliant designer, but he’s insufferable and nobody wants to deal with him.
  • 3
    It's worse yet I think cuz people don't wanna hear unpleasant news

    Even if you have social skills you'll focus on the work more than relationships so you'll lose to a smooze who then will tank the company, and tbh I rather just not be hassled than say something like "I told you so" even if it can be quite funny to watch the slow motion car crash

    I don't think the answer is "get social skills"; that's someone asking you not to be yourself and compromise yourself which understandably can make people angry if they go down that path because then they have to pretend to be not themselves and that's just rife for mental issues

    I think the trick is noting other people who are equally no-nonsense and sticking with them then you'll get quiet workplaces that are a joy to work in, probably. You don't need to own the whole department but just have 1 other person so you can groupthink control the culture
  • 2
    my first advice for most devs is this one: don't make this shit your personality.

    Sheldon Cooper from the big bang theory was modeled after a developer that was a friend of the guy that made the series. That should give you enough, no one likes insufferable know it alls.

    I also could not care less about how skilled you are, if you are a condescending weird asshole I do not want you in my team. So yeah, who would've known! People don't like working with weird dickwards!
  • 3
    I rather condescending assholes than people who cause trouble

    Least condescending assholes can be convinced into honesty and getting things done, isn't the case with the political golden children. So much lying. The whole workplace gets psychosis
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1
    Many people just process speech emotionally and not by its content, that's not who should be employed in I.T company.
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