As a programmer, it's easy to fall into the trap of vainglory—the desire to look good in others' eyes. Often driven by pride, we strive to be recognized as the best. Or, fueled by fear, we hide insecurities about our abilities. Both approaches can severely impact our collaboration within a team, whether by trying to dominate discussions or undercutting others to mask flaws. True value in a project comes when we let go of self-promotion and focus on the mission, helping and supporting others. By reflecting on how often pride or fear has guided our actions, we can recalibrate our efforts towards serving the team—becoming an indispensable contributor in the process.