"I used to obsess over this question. After my startup failed spectacularly a few years back, my confidence took a nosedive. I'd walk into networking events wondering if people were just being polite or if they genuinely wanted to connect. Then something interesting happened. During one of the darkest periods after that failure, I noticed people kept reaching out, asking for advice, inviting me to things. It hit me that maybe, just maybe, I was more valued than my inner critic let me believe."
"When people consistently turn to you for guidance, especially on important life decisions, that's huge. It means they trust your judgment and value your worldview enough to let it influence their choices. After my first company exit, I was shocked by how many friends started asking me about career moves, even though I'd only had one modest success. The key indicator here? They come back for more advice later."
A person became consumed with whether others genuinely liked them after a startup failure eroded confidence and made networking feel uncertain. Despite low self-assessment, others continued reaching out for advice and invitations, revealing unrecognized value. Psychological evidence shows people underestimate their positive impact while overanalyzing awkward moments. A clear sign of being admired is when others seek guidance on meaningful decisions and return with updates. Repeated requests reflect trust, respect, and perceived safety. Admiration tends to come from being trusted and respected rather than being the smartest person in the room.
Read at Silicon Canals
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