Not being everywhere ,everytime is a very powerful way of gaining respect.
If you are always present and available all the time , it can make people take you for granted, but when you disappear in a strategic way , your value , respect , and presence are increased.
Consider the entertainment industry.
Let us take the music industry as an example, if yiu are an artist that always features on any song that comes your way , release songs on a regular basis , their is a high chance that your popularity will fade because your audience will become too saturated.
But you see those ones that tactically steps away for some time , they tend to create a huge suspense and anticipation after they make a return
Davido , a nigerian afrobeat did this back then in 2023 , he lost his first son and then took a break from public appearance for three months , when he finally made an appearance , his fans embraced his music with so much passion because he has been missed for a long time.
We can also experience the same in leadership , if you are a company founder and you always put yourself in every corner , your team are overwhelmed and the weight of your presence are reduced.
Leaders who step back, letting managers operate independently, often command more attention when they do step in. Their words carry more weight because they are not heard constantly.
Even in diplomacy, this tactic is effective. A nation that reacts to every minor issue may be ignored over time. But a nation that speaks rarely, and only on critical matters, makes its voice seem more serious. When they finally issue a statement or take a stance, the world listens.
In personal or professional relationships, being constantly available can sometimes reduce appreciation. A professional who is always saying yes to every request may be overlooked, while one who is selective and strategic about their time often receives more respect.
Absence should never come across as neglect.
Rather , Absence should be seen as a strategic tool and intentional one, The goal here is to create a situation whereby your presence is felt more when you return
Too much exposure can make even the most valuable person or idea seem ordinary, while a calculated retreat can remind others of your importance.
If you want to increase respect and make your contributions more visible, consider when stepping back might serve you better than constant presence.
Your presence is announced and more powerful when you stay away for some time.