we now bring you a HOLY DUH moment
If there is one ironclad, necessary rule for gaining respect, it's this: do not qualify yourself. This means: don't make excuses, don't brag or go out of your way to try to impress people, don't be obsequious or approval-seeking, don't take shit from people, don't ever be sheepish, don't be arrogant, don't try to fake knowledge or status, and don't offer information about yourself unless asked. Also keep your opinion a valuable commodity by revealing it judiciously; think first and then speak in short, declarative sentences when you do offer an opinion; be confident, but not stubborn or condescending. Unblushingly obey the first rule of holes. Wei wu wei.
Some of this I'm good at, some of it not so much. I was aware of all of these things before, but only just now found a simple rule to unify them: don't qualify yourself. (I can't think of a better way of putting it that captures everything I'm trying to get at.) I put it up here mainly because I feel as though I've just solved a puzzle, and as something to refer back to as a reminder. If it helps someone else, that's a bonus.
Some of this I'm good at, some of it not so much. I was aware of all of these things before, but only just now found a simple rule to unify them: don't qualify yourself. (I can't think of a better way of putting it that captures everything I'm trying to get at.) I put it up here mainly because I feel as though I've just solved a puzzle, and as something to refer back to as a reminder. If it helps someone else, that's a bonus.