Ask HN: Name 3-5 books that had the most impact on your career and knowledge?
Probably not the answer you are looking for but Carnegie's 'How to Win Friends and Influence People'.So much of our career path is decided on relations more so than deliverables, also self-promotion is key but it doesn't come naturally for everybody.The idea that I shouldn't self-promote (because somehow it felt like bragging) and that people will notice if I do amazing work but stay silent was probably one of the most negatively impacting inhibitions I had at the beggining of my career. Also the book made me realize how 'utilitarian' and sometimes selfish I was in communication with others.I had an amazing manager as a Junior who gifted me that book, it really gives you some perspective. We are often selfish listeners and are not committed to acknowledging the other in a 2 way relation. Once you condition yourself not to do that then building relations is way easier, and the space for self-promotion occurs naturally without a feeling of humblebrag.