Ask HN: What to do when you keep failing upwards?

  • Imposter Syndrome.

    I see 'imposter syndrome' as a rite-of-passage when a tech person advances enough to be included in the 'high-level' set of tech people. At the start, they don't know quite as much as the 'really-high-level' people in the group, so they feel unworthy of being included. As they learn more and move upwards within the group, that imposter syndrome fades away.

    I am an average engineer. I am not extremely bright nor I am technically gifted.

    You're probably more bright and technically gifted than you think. As you have learned more, that level of 'your normal' has moved up with you.

  • be a man, do right thing! (or woman)