As professional developers, we often face two main dangers when interacting with colleagues who don’t have coding experience. The first danger is not maintaining enough distance from our own technical decisions. It’s natural to be enthusiastic about the technologies and solutions we recommend, especially when we believe they’re the best option for the team. However, if we overlook important security or privacy concerns, it’s a sign we need to deepen our understanding—perhaps by consulting with legal or security experts before finalizing a decision.

Advocating for an idea is valuable, but it’s very different from presenting an unbiased perspective. Take artificial intelligence, for example: hype can make it easy to focus only on the positives while ignoring ethical or practical downsides. This kind of bias is often seen in less-experienced developers, but even seasoned tech professionals can zero in on solving a problem and miss broader implications.

The second danger is cynicism, most common among experienced developers. After seeing a lot of company "politics," it can be tempting to use irony or skepticism as a way to cope or quietly show authority in discussions. InThe Searchers, John Wayne plays a world-weary veteran who replies to hopeful suggestions with the repeated line, "That’ll be the day." It’s a quiet but pointed way of dismissing ideas without engaging them directly. While this attitude might feel like a release, it can also shut down new ideas and discourage open conversation. Instead, it’s important to set aside judgment and genuinely listen to colleagues who bring new perspectives, even if their ideas challenge our instincts.

Of course, avoiding both cynicism and unchecked excitement about new technologies isn’t easy. But being aware of these tendencies can make our meetings more meaningful and our decisions better informed. By staying open, we create space for richer discussions and stronger, more collaborative outcomes.

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