Well said. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize this.
Part of the problem is that many software engineers never get to talk to the actual users who are benefiting from their work. Or if they do, it is only when they complain about bugs or missing features.
Now that I'm a consultant, talking directly with customers, I can see the excitement in their eyes when I solve a problem for them. It's usually a trivial piece of code that any junior engineer could do, but it solves a real problem that they've struggled with.
Part of the problem is that many software engineers never get to talk to the actual users who are benefiting from their work. Or if they do, it is only when they complain about bugs or missing features.
Now that I'm a consultant, talking directly with customers, I can see the excitement in their eyes when I solve a problem for them. It's usually a trivial piece of code that any junior engineer could do, but it solves a real problem that they've struggled with.