We think of experts as those who have paid their dues. We think of them as people who have walked the path we are currently walking, and we often try to get their attention and help. We do that all the time. I have one observation to share here. Ask yourself if their advice helps. Like, honestly. Does it actually help? There is a chance that they do not. And I say this out of empathy. I know because I have gone through this cycle many times in my life, If you will. There are many reasons to explain that what works for them may not work for us. For one, conditions have changed. They might have excelled in an environment where relative academic excellence is easier to attain. Of course, that is a probability game which I am guessing. And because it is about probability, there will be a chance that I am right. Excelling in school has gotten tougher today compared to 10 years ago. This is especially so when parents are willing to spend a fortune on additional education hours to springboard their children to the front of the class. Next, socio-economic dynamics change as a result of intensifying competition. Maybe we have stars in our eyes. We may want to be the next Bill Gates, Steve Jobs in our careers. However, context is important here. The population of software engineers has exploded since the 1970s and 1980s. Outstanding career excellence has to come from that additional ounce of effort, commitment, and time. Things change. The problems we encounter today are unique to us and for today. They are not relevant for the experts who have made it years ago. They have overcome the obstacles of their time. And that is why experts may not understand why we do not understand. And that is why we choose to listen to our peers and learn from them. Chances are, THEY understand.
