> When an engineer like this proposes something that adds unnecessary complexity, it's usually hard to argue with. The proposed change typically does indeed make the system objectively better, and they're the one taking responsibility for doing the work and ensuring its correctness.
Flatter their egos while pointing out that they're optimizing for the wrong goal. Their objective is write something that works and can be understood, managed and extended by someone dumber or less careful than they are. That will rule out some changes entirely, but if they're really smart, that can also spur them to change their designs so they still objectively improve the system while retaining clarity.
Flatter their egos while pointing out that they're optimizing for the wrong goal. Their objective is write something that works and can be understood, managed and extended by someone dumber or less careful than they are. That will rule out some changes entirely, but if they're really smart, that can also spur them to change their designs so they still objectively improve the system while retaining clarity.