[zhdc1]

A couple of things I've learned over time:

- Soft skills matter, but performance (against your metrics) is still what matters in the end. Group dynamics only comes into it when you have a bunch of people at the same level of performance.

- You'll be ahead of a lot of your peers if you stay positive and don't gossip and don't do office "politicking" (in a bad sense).

- Plan your career around three year stints. At the end of each stint, evaluate your career progress against your long term goals. Don't be afraid to transfer jobs or take time off for learning (e.g., by getting a graduate degree).

[jeffreyrogers]

> You'll be ahead of a lot of your peers if you stay positive and don't gossip and don't do office "politicking"

This is important. I've worked with people who are constantly criticizing the company/other people, and while they are usually right, it undermines the morale of everyone else.