Having opinions is good, but only if they’re genuinely informed opinions and everyone is willing to disagree and commit.
I’ve worked with too many people who think that their opinions are their identity and defended them as such. A difference of opinions shouldn’t become an excuse to go to war with your coworkers or argue endlessly instead of getting things done.
One of my worst work experiences was with a team of developers who were old friends from a college debate team. We could never have any productive discussions because they entered every conversation intent on winning instead of having an honest, productive conversation.
The best engineers I’ve worked with have had strong opinions but have also been happy and willing to go a different way if that’s what the team decides as a whole.
I’ve worked with too many people who think that their opinions are their identity and defended them as such. A difference of opinions shouldn’t become an excuse to go to war with your coworkers or argue endlessly instead of getting things done.
One of my worst work experiences was with a team of developers who were old friends from a college debate team. We could never have any productive discussions because they entered every conversation intent on winning instead of having an honest, productive conversation.
The best engineers I’ve worked with have had strong opinions but have also been happy and willing to go a different way if that’s what the team decides as a whole.