What fundamentals should a senior programmer know?

Question

To be able to solve difficult problems must you be a senior programmer?

Answer 1

I understood that to be a senior we have to learn from our mistakes and research more until we specialize in what one can achieve.

Answer 2

Imagine a circle inside a circle. The inner circle is technical skills and junior level responsibilities. The outer circle is social skills and senior level responsibilities.

You'll never progress beyond junior level if you never move past the technical circle. Your technical skills are *how* you complete the project but your social skills reveal *what* you need to do to finish the project.

I tell a junior, "implement this fully detailed specification for a new component. Ask if you have questions about the details." I tell a senior, "marketing has new requirements for the color scheme on those components your team was assigned, keep me informed what you decide."