[halfjew222]

As the other comment points out, people aren’t willing to challenge themselves but also feign a confidence about themselves due to various factors such as economic and societal pressures. Admitting you have no idea most of the time is probably more accurate (estimate is obviously a reasonably afauirable skill) but that’s not what boss man is looking for.

I think this also evidences itself in the prevalence of imposter theory, especially in younger generations. The reason the saying goes, “that feeling never goes away” is because we all operate outwardly as if we are more expert than we are and begin to believe that lie.

Does that clarify?

[danharaj]

No, not really. It's still rather vague to me. Could you give me a concrete example?

[halfjew222]

Sure!

If you look at the levels of reported 'imposter syndrome', there is a noted rise over the last few years.

I'm assuming here that you are aware of imposter syndrome and perhaps have felt it at times yourself. I certainly have.

To our peers, we pretend we know more than we do to feign this confidence that has almost emerged as necessary since there are so many that can do our jobs as programmers.

This feigned confidence manifests as imposter syndrome. Since we can't be honest (and risk management firing us because we're incompetent), we never quite feel like we're 'good enough' for our jobs.

Does that help?