Equals/inferiors try to stop you from bettering yourself, but what do superiors do?

[Visceral]

We all know how your equals and inferiors will hate you and try to hold you back when you start trying to make something of yourself, but frankly I'm more concerned about the guys above me and how they'll react when you start moving up in the world.

Do they not care, like we don't care about what ants do?

Do they see you as a threat to their position and try to keep you in your place?

Do they see you as a kindred spirit and welcome you?

Do their attitudes change from one to the other the closer you get to their level?

Unlike your equals and inferiors, your superiors actually can stop your progress and might even cause you harm as punishment, so I want to know if I have to protect myself from them and how I can do this.

 

[The_flying_dutchman]

We all know how your equals and inferiors will hate you and try to hold you back when you start trying to make something of yourself, but frankly I'm more concerned about the guys above me and how they'll react when you start moving up in the world.

Do they not care, like we don't care about what ants do?

Do they see you as a threat to their position and try to keep you in your place?

Do they see you as a kindred spirit and welcome you?

Do their attitudes change from one to the other the closer you get to their level?

Unlike your equals and inferiors, your superiors actually can stop your progress and might even cause you harm as punishment, so I want to know if I have to protect myself from them and how I can do this.

More often than not, you'll be perceived as threat rather than a friend because the top of the mountain can only hold so many champions. My best advice would be to acheive your goals as quickly and as anonymously as possible. You don't want to alert your presence to anyone that can block you.

Run a check on google for Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", his are words of wisdom. I pretty much swear my life the philosophies that he teaches in that text and so far it's done me a lot good.

 

[Desdinova]

The ones who are stationary on a higher level will see you as a threat. The ones who are working at improving themselves more and moving further will be happy to see another one like them. This board is a good example of that.

 

[djbr]

Who are the ones in sports who see fellow players as the enemy? Who are the musicians, artists, and others who see their fellows as the enemy? It is the losers.

And who are the ones that see THEMSELVES as the enemy? It is the winners.

That's why we are all happy to see people like us.

 

[wayword]

^ GREAT quote by Pook!

The scarcity mentality views everyone else as a threat. The abundance mentality views the world as an infinite supply where the more you give, the more you get back...

I kind of lean towards the latter - it does seem the more you help others out, the more they help you back and then you both grow from it.

 

[diplomatic_lies]

I think it depends on what you are referring to.

In a very small, closed world (ie. a small company, a small school), your superiors will percieve your rise as a threat.

In a large world (ie. THE WORLD!) I don't think successful people have time to care about you, since you're not directly threatening anyone.

 

[Marlimus]

It depends on whether or not you are in a zero-sum environment. In college, for example. if you let your brilliance and dedication show professors would take your under their wing and give you pointers on how to get to the next level. They will introduce you to grad school admissions committees (who happen to be their old friends) and nominate you for awards. The professor has nothing to lose by your success.

In a corporate environment, if your superior feels you might outshine or usurp him, you become a threat. Only let your brilliance show to those who are so high up that they are secure in their position and can actually pull strings for you.

P.S any time you develop a brilliant proposal or idea, present it to your bosses' bosses further up the chain of command than your immediate supervisor. Make a point of letting them know that you have shared this idea with others, so that they cannot openly take credit for your work.

Then, lastly, present it to your immediate boss weeks or months later, the one whose job you want to take from him. Do not let him know that others have seen it. If he tries to take credit for your work, he will look like a dishonest fool since his superiors already know whose idea it was originally. He will lose his credibility, and when he is about to fall, you will be appointed in his stead. Solution-selling has always been a good way to make a gift of your talents in order to get recognition.