Vacant_Entity wrote:
Help people out without expecting anything in return, even to the point of refusing reward, not only does this build up confidence but makes people think of you as an amazing person
This is exactly it. If you want to be exceptional you need to start being the exception. Be self sacrificial. Push yourself to do things that are uncomfortable. Dominate by not being incessantly dominant at all, and people will gravitate to you. Most of the people you see "dominating" only dominate inasmuch as an animal dominates. Surprise people with your sheer personhood, your human dignity, and you will gain influence that most "dominant" people can't even understand.
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There is no wealth like knowledge, no poverty like ignorance.
Nahj ul-Balāgha by Ali bin Abu-Talib