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>>How to deal with 'overconfident' and 'mediocre' individuals? Realise that the source of your problem is your own hubris. "Overconfident" just means "un-test

by mmjaa 9y ago

>>How to deal with 'overconfident' and 'mediocre' individuals? Realise that the source of your problem is your own hubris. "Overconfident" just means "un-tested and un-proven". "Mediocre" just means "un-developed". No man is an island, if you feel that your social perspective is coming from a place of moral authority, it is incumbent on you to place that altitude in perspective - push these people forward. The "overconfident" need testing - real application. The "mediocre" need training - you have an opportunity to push these key members of your team forward. And, you should. Anything less would be a manifestation of your own 'overconfidence' - and the fact you're asking, means you are, actually, also 'mediocre'. Thus, hubris is your real bug. Fix it.

zdragnar 9y ago
Ignoring the semantics, it would be naive to believe they there are no people in tech who concretely claim more knowledge and skills than they possess, and attempt to exert undue influence. As such, there is still value in the question at hand. Anecdotally, there is a common thread among people like this that I have met: their experience in the field is very narrow, in the sense that they believe in a "one true way". That might be the only way that they've ever worked, or they bought into some cargo-cult style culture. I'm loath to prescribe means of "dealing" with such people, because with all things in life, it depends on the situation, though a good starting point is the same for all contention: Find common ground, acknowledge common goals, identify ways to work together as a team. Don't settle for harassment, though be charitable in interpretation when possible.
kevintb 9y ago
> Furthermore, the same individuals tend to put down others who are more humble/less confident in their skills, directly or subtly. > It infuriates me when these individuals subtly bring down others, but I am unsure how to approach it - directly, indirectly, or just ignore it and focus on my own work and goals. If you read the description, the issue is an attitude problem, not a training problem.
rootlocus 9y ago
> "Overconfident" just means "un-tested and un-proven". That's not what it means. It means excessive, over the top, confidence. You're focusing on the object of confidence, instead of the attitude. It's the bad attitude that's the real problem. > Realise that the source of your problem is your own hubris. Bullshit. You're completely missing the issue OP is having: "It infuriates me when these individuals subtly bring down others". Toxic people are toxic irrelevant of the OP's hubris.
- kevintb 9y ago
  Thank you. It’s interesting some people are ignoring the heart of the issue completely.
  - mmjaa 9y ago
    I don't doubt toxic people bring others down - but I do doubt that toxicity is one-way. I think this person is really the toxic one, with their prejudice against others.

by mmjaa 9y ago

zdragnar 9y ago

Ignoring the semantics, it would be naive to believe they there are no people in tech who concretely claim more knowledge and skills than they possess, and attempt to exert undue influence. As such, there is still value in the question at hand. Anecdotally, there is a common thread among people like this that I have met: their experience in the field is very narrow, in the sense that they believe in a "one true way". That might be the only way that they've ever worked, or they bought into some cargo-cult style culture. I'm loath to prescribe means of "dealing" with such people, because with all things in life, it depends on the situation, though a good starting point is the same for all contention: Find common ground, acknowledge common goals, identify ways to work together as a team. Don't settle for harassment, though be charitable in interpretation when possible.

kevintb 9y ago

> Furthermore, the same individuals tend to put down others who are more humble/less confident in their skills, directly or subtly. > It infuriates me when these individuals subtly bring down others, but I am unsure how to approach it - directly, indirectly, or just ignore it and focus on my own work and goals. If you read the description, the issue is an attitude problem, not a training problem.

rootlocus 9y ago

> "Overconfident" just means "un-tested and un-proven". That's not what it means. It means excessive, over the top, confidence. You're focusing on the object of confidence, instead of the attitude. It's the bad attitude that's the real problem. > Realise that the source of your problem is your own hubris. Bullshit. You're completely missing the issue OP is having: "It infuriates me when these individuals subtly bring down others". Toxic people are toxic irrelevant of the OP's hubris.

kevintb 9y ago
Thank you. It’s interesting some people are ignoring the heart of the issue completely.
- mmjaa 9y ago
  I don't doubt toxic people bring others down - but I do doubt that toxicity is one-way. I think this person is really the toxic one, with their prejudice against others.