Based on the comments, this might be a slightly different POV on the topic, but not understanding the value of personal/professional networking and soft skills.

Based on the comments, this might be a slightly different POV on the topic, but not understanding the value of personal/professional networking and soft skills. Very early on in my career, I was less interested in the networking aspect, and more focused on (for lack of a better way of describing it) pure meritocracy - if I become more skilled, more opportunities will naturally become available. I eventually discovered how narrow of a view this is and sometimes wonder how life would've gone if I'd had a different mindset earlier in life.