Everybody wants to do the big demo, manage the most important POC, or close the big home run deal, but that’s not what differentiates the stand-out SEs. What differentiates them is the small intangible things that they do, their character, and their willingness to learn. 
That is something that Tanner and I talked about after the podcast. Managers are not the end all be all of information and decision. They are learning as well, and they can learn from the people who report to them.

Check out my discussion with Tanner here.

And if you are looking to switch jobs or to become an SE, then it’s necessary to do the little stuff to be seen and get that initial interview. We need to connect and help out when we can, volunteer, and do things that others may not want to do, like drive 5 hours to go to a meetup.