Teach, Don't Correct
Defuse technical debates by sharing context and curiosity instead of nitpicking someone else's wording.
Early in my engineering career, I saw many technical discussions stall out - not because the solutions were complex, but because the communication subtly suggested someone was foolish. Engineers have a habit of quickly calling out what's impossible, impractical, or inefficient. Technically right, perhaps, but tactically disastrous.
When stakeholders or peers propose ideas that won't work, the instinctive reaction is often to correct. “That won't scale,” “It's technically infeasible,” or “You're misunderstanding the limitations.” These responses seem straightforward and honest, but they unintentionally diminish others, framing conversations as competitions of competence.
The better path isn't correction - it's education. Don't just say why something is impossible; illuminate how similar challenges have been solved before. Share your own past mistakes openly, demonstrating how learning through experience is natural. This approach doesn't just soften your critique; it empowers the listener, making them smarter, not smaller.
The engineer who consistently makes others feel wiser becomes indispensable. Your insights aren't merely accurate - they become a valued source of growth. Invitations to strategic discussions multiply because your presence lifts everyone's understanding.
Mastering technology is table stakes. Mastering the subtle art of teaching rather than correcting is what truly defines exceptional engineers.