Think for Yourself

As AI tools become increasingly prevalent, critical thinking is no longer optional—it's essential. Developing this skill can help you navigate jargon-filled conversations, challenge influential voices, and avoid blindly following trends. Here's how to strengthen your critical thinking muscles and why it pays to do so.

The Engineers I Admired

Looking back at the software engineers I admired most, one trait stood out: they questioned everything. No matter how minor the topic, they weren't afraid to admit when something didn't make sense or when they didn’t understand a concept. Eventually, I began to adopt this approach myself.

I recall one meeting where a widely respected engineer declared, "Idempotency is non-negotiable." I didn’t know what idempotency meant, so I had no idea why it was supposedly non-negotiable. Everyone else nodded along, but I felt lost.

So I asked them to explain what idempotency meant and why it was crucial. As the discussion unfolded, we realized not all parts of the system actually required idempotency. Afterward, I asked a few others if they knew what it meant. Three out of four admitted they didn’t—but were glad I asked.

So why did everyone nod? And why did it take courage to ask a simple question?

Jargon Conceals Partial Understanding

I hesitated to ask because I feared revealing my lack of knowledge, thinking it might suggest I was less competent. But over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern: some senior engineers use jargon not to communicate, but to exclude.

They would:

  • Dismiss junior engineers by using unfamiliar terms.
  • Win debates by appearing authoritative.
  • Struggle—or outright refuse—to explain concepts in plain language.

Of course, not everyone does this. Some experienced engineers use jargon and can also explain concepts clearly to others. But I learned to be cautious around those who resist simplification.

If someone can't explain something without jargon, I now question whether they fully understand it themselves. True understanding means being able to teach—and teaching requires adapting your language to your audience.

When you encounter jargon you don’t understand, ask for clarification. Two outcomes are possible:

  1. You learn something valuable.
  2. You expose a knowledge gap in someone who appeared confident.

Either way, it’s a win.

The Rise of the "Thought Leader"

In tech spaces, social media has created a new class: the "thought leader" or "tech influencer." These individuals have large followings and are often assumed to be experts simply because they're popular.

I’ve reluctantly found myself in this category due to an above-average following. But I urge engineers not to take any thought leader’s advice—including mine—at face value.

Popularity is not a proxy for expertise. Many genuine experts have little social media presence because they’re focused on their work.

When you come across advice from a thought leader:

  • Treat it as input, not gospel.
  • Do your own research.
  • Ask whether their recommendation solves a real problem you have.
  • Compare it to other options.

This applies to what you're reading right now. Don’t trust this article just because it's well-shared or well-written. Think for yourself.

Are We Outsourcing Our Thinking?

Both jargon-heavy engineers and social media influencers command undue authority. Neither has formal control or necessarily deeper expertise, yet few challenge them.

Why?

  • With jargon, people assume their lack of understanding is the problem.
  • With influencers, people mistake popularity for correctness.

Critical thinking helps you avoid both traps. It keeps you from wasting time on flawed advice or unsuitable approaches, and it sharpens your judgment in the process.

How to Strengthen Your Critical Thinking

The best engineers I’ve known all shared one trait: they thought for themselves.

Here’s how you can, too:

1. Demystify the Jargon

Don’t let unfamiliar terms intimidate you. Ask others to explain them simply, or research them yourself. Tools like ChatGPT can be helpful—just remember to fact-check.

2. Verify, Then Trust

When someone shares information, don’t assume it’s true. Look for the source. For instance, when I was researching for a book on resumes, I kept seeing claims that ATS software automatically rejects resumes. But after digging deeper, I found no evidence to support it. It was just a myth repeated often enough to sound true.

3. Ask "Why" and "How"

Always get to the core. Whether you're challenging a product decision or digging into a system design, don’t stop asking questions until you truly understand.

4. Don't Follow the Crowd Blindly

If you haven’t yet clarified the jargon, verified the facts, and asked the key questions—don’t jump in. The crypto hype wave was a good example: many engineers got involved without understanding the tech or its applications. Those who did their homework stuck around; the rest left feeling burned.

The AI Era Demands More of You

As AI tools generate more content—and as some colleagues may start leaning heavily on them—critical thinking becomes a key differentiator.

Some people will blindly accept AI output. Others will question what doesn’t make sense.

It’s not hard to guess which group will be more successful in the long run.

So ask questions. Challenge ideas. And above all, think for yourself.