Power dynamics at networking events

Section 3 : Respect doesn’t always flow both ways

You might respect someone’s work, admire their journey, even be a little starstruck but that doesn’t mean they’ll return the energy. Sometimes the people you most look up to won’t have time for you. Sometimes they’ll be dismissive, uninterested or abrupt.

That’s not a reason to shrink yourself. You don’t need every interaction to validate your worth. Power can make people behave in all kinds of ways. They can become guarded, aloof, transactional and even though sometimes its ego, often it’s actually insecurity or exhaustion. If someone talks down to you, that’s on them, not you. Your responsibility is to remain grounded. Speak with clarity, listen with intent and remind yourself that connection is mutual. One-sided admiration is not a relationship.