Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. — Robert Greene

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior.

Author: Robert Greene

Insight: There's a counterintuitive wisdom here that actually works in your favor, even though it sounds like self-defeat. When someone feels threatened by you—when they sense you're trying to outshine them or prove them wrong—they stop listening and start defending. But when you let them feel smart and capable around you, something shifts. They relax. They actually become more generous with their time, their ideas, their opportunities. This isn't about being fake or diminishing yourself. It's about recognizing that most people's insecurity runs deeper than their ego. Your boss doesn't need you broadcasting your brilliance; they need to feel like they made a good hire. Your mentor doesn't need you to challenge their wisdom; they need to see that their advice mattered. When you can give people that gift—the comfortable feeling of being respected and competent—they become allies instead of obstacles. The real insight is that this approach isn't manipulation; it's empathy wearing practical clothes. Everyone walks around with some doubt about whether they're good enough. When you stop triggering that doubt and instead quietly support someone's self-image, you're not losing power—you're gaining influence. And that matters far more in the long run.