[constantine42]

100% "The trick is to not come off combative or argumentative". But I've never had to worry about "Tricking people into thinking something was their idea". It is always their idea, I just refine it.

I'm 15 years in and my PM puts me on special high profile cases, be it a new project or a failing one. She will literally tell the customer "We've got 'insert name' on this. He will ask a lot of questions and it may take him some time to complete, but rest assured that when he's done, it will be exactly what you need."

No pressure, right? I need to communicate very clearly about everything. If I feel there's a risk, I call it out EARLY. My PM wants to get out ahead of any issues and have all the resources that I need ready to go when I need them.

The upside of all of this is I have a "get out of jail" card. Because my PM and leadership know that it's actually done when I say it's done, they encourage me to take my time and do it right. Overtime, what's that? They know the mind fogs when someone works too much. I'll get scolded if I work too much.

Even when only working 30 hours a week, I find myself quite spent. I have no idea how people work 40-60 hours a week and still have the energy to go out and do anything.