Conquering Imposter Syndrome in Programming
Navigating Adaptation and Talent Differences for Long-Term Success
Imposter syndrome phenomenon can be divided into at least two distinct realities:
The programmer is in a phase of adaptation and the delay in relation to their colleagues will be temporary as they adjust to the team and the codebase.
There is a real difference in talent among developers, in which case one of the ways to maintain motivation and emotional resilience involves a change in mindset - we will discuss this second angle in this article.
Simple Adaptation Phase
In the case of a more or less homogeneous talent distribution within the team, the initial focus for the first 30 days should be to form good relationships with all team members, understand who the expert is for each part of the codebase, and absorb as much information as possible during this period.
During this grace period, the team will tolerate a higher number of mistakes and questions, as long as the developer consistently demonstrates the ability to learn and improve from mistakes.
Real Talent Difference
If there is a real difference in talent, the developer's focus should be on developing a personal growth mindset - the comparison to be made should be with themselves a few months in the past.
Another aspect that should never be overlooked is communication and teamwork. Pair programming and pair design are two ways to absorb good practices from more talented colleagues and maintain motivation, which is always an essential aspect in the development of psychological resilience.
Throughout my career, I have worked with colleagues who were much more talented than me and also with colleagues who had similar characteristics to mine. I have learned a lot in all cases.
Final Advice
A developer's career can be long and there are many circumstances beyond anyone's control. I do not want to advise against our intrinsic desire to be competitive, but not everyone can be in the top 90% of the best developers.
We can still focus on personal excellence without the need to constantly compare ourselves with the best of the best to the detriment of our health.
In my professional experience, I have seen colleagues considered incompetent in one company only to be subsequently promoted in another and stand out in that new environment. Life is dynamic. Don't get stuck in a subservient mindset of constantly comparing yourself to others. Aim for excellence, no one is asking you for more than that.