"There is a little bit of showmanship that is going on. That's what I'm hearing from my circle," said Dawn, founder of Upplai, which uses AI to help job seekers with résumés and cover letters."
"Being likable is a "more important skill than computer programming, or system design, or algorithms," said another tech worker who spoke to Business Insider on the condition of anonymity because his employer doesn't permit staffers to speak to the press."
"Those workers, Dawn said, could then go on to complete some small project and "get recognition like crazy.""
Likability and visibility with managers and senior leaders increasingly shape tech workers' career outcomes amid layoffs and AI-driven change. Many workers prioritize pleasing bosses and "upper upper management" through showmanship, social interactions, and small visible contributions that attract recognition. Technical competence remains important, but relationships and alignment with higher-ups can become decisive for retention and advancement. Some employees shift time from deep engineering work to cultivating managerial favor, polishing presentations, or running errands to build rapport. The trend reflects a survival strategy where managerial approval and visibility can trump raw coding skill for job security.
Read at Business Insider
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