Self-deprecation - It's a Feature, not a Bug

“The more you code, the more you realise there are whole mathematical, theoretical, engineering and creative universes you do not understand, will never get around to understanding and therefore there is no point in pretending you do, will or can understand.”
“ And that’s what I think you’re normally seeing when you see a self-deprecating senior. They don’t actually think they’re terrible, they just know their limitations and enjoy working within them, and have got past the point of bullshitting you into thinking they’re experts at everything.”
I couldn’t agree more. If anything, I’d add that if the senior developer — or manager, or boss — is an arrogant know-it-all, then
° Back away slowly
° Don’t make eye contact, and
° Find another team, or job, or whatever
The smart ones, all, the smart ones, in every field, are humble (°), and especially so in their own field.
I am reminded of an (ex)-colleague who was fond of saying
“I am one of the top 15 experts in the world in this field” (°°°)
You can just imagine how that worked out
(°) Yes, Humble =/= Self-deprecating. But it usually is expressed as such.(°°)
(°°) Also, #HumbleBrag is worse. Far worse. Fear it.
(°°°) No he wasn’t, and no the field wasn’t what he thought it was either 🤣

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