[aappleby]

This rings true for me as well.

One thing I've really had to get over is "illusory inferiority" - I am objectively an extremely good programmer, as demonstrated by my accomplishments and career path, but I constantly underestimate the value I provide to my employer because the contributions I make don't always feel important.

As an analogy, I can imagine a slightly bored senior sushi chef who is a master at preparing fugu (poisonous blowfish). The value they provide is huge, but they've done it for so long that it does not provide a challenge.

[kramerger]

Or, you are overestimating your contribution because fugu is 0.01% of the restaurants order and you being the super chef don't like to help with normal boring sushi.

Okay, enough analogies. Here is the thing: your 30 years of experience maybe means squat if you are a COBOL god and we are a React shop.

To stay relevant in this business you need to study. A lot. If you don't, you might end up in this situation where you contribute barely to the team but consider yourself the top dog because you don't understand what the other are doing.