Hey! 👋🏾

Today, I wanted to chat about something many of us have felt: not being considered "technical enough."

It's a really crappy experience, but we've got to find a way to overcome it.

Trust me, I've been there, and I know how it feels.

When They Hurt My Feelings 😢

Most people, when they start out, aren't experts at their jobs. I certainly wasn't.

When I began, I didn't have a computer science background, and that was constantly used against me during my first three years in the industry.

Anytime I was given a ticket or user story that required changes to the database, API, or something beyond the UI, people would say behind my back:

"I don't know if he can do it."

But here's the thing:

  • I was a productive employee.
  • I completed my projects.
  • Was it the best? Probably not.
  • But it was good enough to get the job done.

Then came the moment that really stung.

A young senior dev was reviewing my PR and said:

"This is dumb. Don't do this."

Not gonna lie, this completely shook me.

I had just been converted from contractor to full-time employee. I was feeling good about myself, and then this dev says this, wiping out all my confidence.

What I Did—and What You Could Do Differently 📝

I was crushed that someone would speak to me like that in writing.

So, I did what any junior employee might do:

I snitched.

I went straight to my boss and, sounding like a four-year-old, said:

"Boss, the senior dev was being mean to me. Make him stop."

Why I wouldn't suggest this as your first move:

  • It became a "thing."
  • HR got involved.
  • Managers got involved
  • We had to mediate.
  • Documentation from both parties of the "event" was required
  • He had to attend sensitivity training.
  • More rumors started about me causing trouble.

While the training was probably overdue, knowing what I know now, I'd handle it differently.

Here's What I'd Do Instead ✅

Start with a Face-to-Face Conversation

Why?

  • Think "Positive Intent" ask "are they trying to help me?"
  • Sometimes people aren't great communicators.
  • Written comments can lack tone and context.

How?

  • Approach them calmly.
  • Say something like, "Hey, I felt your comment was a bit harsh. Can we talk about it?"

Find Common Ground

  • Turns out, we shared similar hobbies.
  • Building a rapport can make working together easier.

Understand That Not Everyone Thinks or Acts Like YOU

  • We all have different strengths.
  • Focusing on collaboration over confrontation helps.

Why This Is Important 🧐

I shared my story as a proud Black man in tech, trying to make it in the industry.

But let's talk about others who might face similar challenges.

Did you know women often receive feedback that they're not technical enough during interviews, performance evaluations, and promotion processes?

I've personally seen peers in management pass over qualified candidates for not being "hands-on" enough.

Let's be real:

  • Sometimes, assumptions are made despite the details on a resume.
  • It's not just you; it's about unconscious bias.

It's Our Unconscious Bias 🤫

This stems from—yes, you guessed it—unconscious bias.

People might believe that certain groups are less technical and then find evidence to back up their theory.

We know this as confirmation bias.

Now, think about the people who often handle tasks like:

  • Taking meeting notes
  • Writing documentation
  • Onboarding new hires
  • Organizing team events
  • Doing most of the interviewing
  • Managing the backlog
  • Facilitating retrospectives
  • Engaging in planning initiatives

Are they mostly from a particular group?

The Unbalanced Responsibility

This imbalance is an issue because:

  1. Unequal Recognition
    • Some peers might be paid more while doing less.
    • Those doing "glue work" become visible for non-technical tasks.

Women might get praised for the "people stuff" and criticized for technical efforts, teaching them that they're "not technical enough."

Hear it enough times, and you start to believe it—it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Breaking the Cycle 🔄

Advice I Wish I'd Heard Early On

Don't let someone opinion of you become your reality.

Focus on building your technical skills. Understand it takes time. The only way to do it, is to build things.

On that journey, you will meet people more technical who are not educators. They will lack empathy and can be harsh.

How can we overcome the bias? 🚫

Step 1: Limit the Glue Work

  • Strike a balance.
  • Be known for your technical contributions.

Step 2: Define "Technical"

  • Ask for specifics when told you're "not technical enough."
  • Use frameworks or benchmarks to assess your skills objectively.

Example:

A colleague was told she wasn't technical enough. She asked her boss to clarify. Turns out, it was because she didn't know an acronym (like SOLID principles).

It's less about you and more about others' insecurities.

Step 3: Fill the Perceived Gap—Visibly

  • Once you know what's expected, work to fill that gap.
  • Keep your progress visible.
  • Check in regularly and seek opportunities to showcase your skills.

If the Goalposts Keep Moving

If you've made efforts and the feedback doesn't change:

  • Recognize it's a "them" problem, not a "you" problem.
  • Consider finding an employer who appreciates the value you bring.

If You're Struggling, Here Are My Tips 🌟

Beginners Learners 🏃

  • Overwhelm
    • So many languages and tools—where to begin?
    • Tip: Start with one language or tool that aligns with your interests. Focus on learning the basics before moving on to others. Build small projects to apply what you've learned.
  • Fear of Failure
    • Worrying about making mistakes.
    • Tip: Embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. Each error is an opportunity to grow and improve your skills.
  • Feeling Out of Place
    • Thinking you don't belong in tech spaces.
    • Tip: Join supportive communities or groups. Surround yourself with people who encourage you and share similar interests.

Intermediate Learners 🏃

  • Plateauing
    • Feeling stuck and not knowing how to progress.
    • Try this: Explore new technologies or take on a challenging project to reignite your passion. People love when others volunteer to take on work.
  • Comparison
    • Measuring yourself against others.
    • Remember: Focus on your own journey and celebrate your personal achievements.
  • Doubt
    • Questioning if you'll ever reach the next level.
    • Action: Set achievable goals and recognize how far you've come.

Advanced Practitioners 🏆

  • Imposter Syndrome
    • Yes, even experts feel it!
    • Tip: Remind yourself that feeling like an imposter is common; use it as motivation to continue learning.
  • High Expectations
    • Pressure to always have the answers.
    • Advice: Accept that it's okay not to know everything; collaborate with others to find solutions.
  • Keeping Up
    • Tech moves fast; staying updated is tough.
    • Strategy: Prioritize learning areas most relevant to you and set aside regular time for professional development.

Imposter Syndrome Hits Us All 🥺

That nagging voice saying:

"You're not good enough."

Common Signs:

  • Self-Doubt
    • Feeling inadequate despite achievements.
    • What you can do: Reflect on your accomplishments and remind yourself of your capabilities.
  • Perfectionism
    • Setting unrealistically high standards.
    • Tip: Set realistic goals and accept that mistakes are part of the learning process.
  • Attributing Success to Luck
    • Instead of acknowledging your hard work.
    • Remember: Recognize the effort and skills you've invested to achieve success.

The best way to avoid this situation...🌱

No matter where you are on your tech journey, you can always get better.

My favorite basketball player Kobe Bryant once said, "I'm not afraid of taking the last shot of a game because I've taken it 1000s times before."

In my case, to avoid the "he's not technical enough". I had to start doing a lot more technical things to build confidence AND show them off for visibility.

The best feeling is the next time someone says something out of pocket to you, you want to be able to hold your ground and defend yourself.

Personal Tips That Helped Me with my confidence 💡

  • Keep a "Wins" Journal 📝
    • Document achievements, big or small.
    • Reflecting boosts confidence.
  • Embrace Failure 🚧
    • Mistakes are learning opportunities.
    • Use them to grow.
  • Connect with Others ❤️
    • Share struggles and successes.
    • Community support is invaluable.

Remember, You Belong Here 💪

Tech is for everyone—yes, everyone!

Don't let doubts (yours or others') hold you back.

Your unique perspective is valuable and needed.

Final Thoughts 💭

Next time someone questions your technical abilities, let it remind you:

  • How far you've come.
  • How much further you can go.

Embrace your journey at your own pace, and don't forget to enjoy the ride!

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Happy Thursday! See you soon,

Caleb "TechDad_" ✌🏾