How to Deal with Underestimation in Tech: A Personal Perspective
Being underestimated in tech can be frustrating, especially when your skills and contributions are questioned because of your experience level. This article explores how to respond without burning yourself out trying to prove others wrong. Instead, focus on what you can control: developing your skills, strengthening your mindset, and investing in your personal growth. The most meaningful validation comes from becoming better, not from meeting someone else’s expectations.
Temidayo Adefioye
Lately, I’ve been doing some career reflections, looking back on the journey that brought me here. I find it’s essential to reflect on the past; it’s a treasure trove of lessons that can guide our future decisions.
As a software engineer who has been part of many teams, I’ve encountered my fair share of situations where I felt underestimated. You know the feeling: your contributions go unnoticed, your skills are doubted, and your value seems to fade into the background. It’s tough; it can make you question your worth and even contemplate giving up.
So, what do you do when others seem to disregard your potential because you’re not as experienced as they’d like you to be? How do you handle situations where people hesitate to recommend you for tasks, believing you’re not ready?
Here’s a piece of advice: don’t waste your energy trying to prove them wrong. Trust me; it’s a recipe for burnout. Instead, shift your focus. Pay less attention to their underestimations and more attention to your personal growth. Go back to your drawing board, reassess your goals, and concentrate on the essential elements that will help you evolve into the best version of yourself.
This approach isn’t about impressing others; it’s about investing in yourself. Human beings are inherently fickle, and working tirelessly to satisfy someone else’s ever-changing expectations is a futile endeavor.
In life, I’ve learned to focus on what I can control. Pour your efforts into your own development. Your skills, your mindset, your knowledge — these are your assets, and they appreciate with time and effort.
So, stay centered. Concentrate on your personal growth and development.
Remember, the most potent validation comes from within.
Stay Inspired
- TA
Temidayo Adefioye
I’m a talent and workforce strategist focused on helping companies find exceptional people beyond the traditional CV. My journey into talent started by building teams, making hiring mistakes, and experiencing firsthand how difficult it can be to find people who can actually execute. That experience led to the creation of Talenvo, a platform connecting educators, early talent, and companies across Africa’s technology ecosystem. Through Talenvo, I’ve supported hundreds of companies across product, data, content, AI, design, and engineering by helping them build stronger talent pipelines and make better hiring decisions. Beyond Talenvo, I’m the author of three internationally published books and have trained more than 31,000 learners through LinkedIn Learning. I also write weekly on Substack about work, people, leadership, and the realities of building teams. I’m passionate about helping companies hire with less guesswork and helping emerging talent get opportunities to prove what they can actually do.
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