Tech companies are always looking for “rockstar geniuses” and such. The reality is that for most tech jobs and jobs in general, someone who is mediocre with decent social skills and who is not a jerk is better than someone who is the proverbial rock star but is a total prickbag.

Sure, you need some minimum level of skills. But like in most areas of life, putting your head down and working concertedly on a problem is good enough and being able to ask for help (giving and receiving) is a key ability.

And if you are a “rock star,” you can go much further and have a much better life if you lift people up rather than crushing them beneath you. That stuff is remembered and you never know who you are going to work with again — or for. Sometimes those people do become your boss and that will indeed be painful for you.