> I feel like there is a bigger lesson in this story: I've got to stop making people feel silly for not getting my Star Wars references, and they've got to understand that there's no logical reason I'd know anything about the big names in fashion. I occasionally meet people who get this - you know your domain and I know mine, and we can still talk to each other without othering.
> And that skill - of being able to get along with your PM even though they "clearly don't know anything about code" - is one worth developing.
For anyone reading this looking into a career in software development, this is incredibly important. You might speak in code, but the people who you write code for will speak in their business. Odds are they're not going to look at your functioning code, but you're always going to need to understand their business if you want to both help it now and prepare for the future.
Absolutely this! I believe lacking the ability to communicate clearly and easily with "non-tech folk" is a significant barrier to many people trying to advance in their careers. Although this is more applicable to some paths than others, it's still an important skill.
> And that skill - of being able to get along with your PM even though they "clearly don't know anything about code" - is one worth developing.
For anyone reading this looking into a career in software development, this is incredibly important. You might speak in code, but the people who you write code for will speak in their business. Odds are they're not going to look at your functioning code, but you're always going to need to understand their business if you want to both help it now and prepare for the future.