This should go without saying, but the best way to get someone’s attention in a professional setting is truly just to do good and interesting work that excites that person.
Another way is to be supportive of the person. If you can do both, then you probably have their attention already.
Notice that nothing said above is: argue with them, snark about them, attempt to discredit them, beg for their validation, trauma-dump on them or to everyone about them, feel entitled to their reciprocation, or otherwise cross their boundaries.
Also, if you are doing these things, at least have the self-awareness that you actually want their attention, you just don’t want to pay the price (which is either doing good work or being supportive).
Finally, sometimes being supportive is actually just hiring someone. A lot of people don’t want to hear that, but it’s so obvious.
You can then ask all your questions about why they have what they have, and do what they do, without it feeling so energetically thirsty and draining for everyone.
Anyway, this is a bit of a vent but it’s also a PSA, I hope. It’s actually very easy for people to get the things they want, but so many go about it the wrong way.
I have empathy because I used to be so thirsty too, but when I discovered that I could just choose to shift my energy, I also shifted my world.
