Just Be And You Are

Hierarchy is directly correlated to intimidation. The higher you go up the ladder, the more imposing the person becomes in our minds. We end up equating the position and the person. It's a powerful effect. Even after meeting with a person and getting a consistently negative vibe, we play it down because that's the president of so-and-so. The fear - like the title itself - is man-made. The only meaning it has is the value you give it. When you call up Verizon or Apple, you expect great service. When you meet with the CEO of a company or a high-level politician, you expect professionalism. When you go to Bolo or Tribeca Grill, you expect amazing food. Certain brand names, like certain titles, convey a quality proposition that we grow to expect. All of which is upheld by each and every person that works for that company or embodies that role. It really hits you when you get bad customer service from a company you expect more from or meet with an asshole corporate executive (tell him/her to check out Bob Sutton's blog). You realize that it's the person, not the position that deserves your respect.