Is All Attention Good?

Another fun discussion on Twitter with a friend led to the question, “I wonder what gets rewarded the most: attention or respect?”

The result turned into a bit of a formula:

Respect + Attention = Trusted influence (a good leader)

Respect - Attention = “Who was that guy?” (Nice but forgotten)

Attention - Respect = A fool, of short-term interest (like setting yourself on fire in the street)

When pursuing market attention for the benefit of your work, it’s worth considering not only the quantity of attention you’re gathering, but the type of attention, too.

Which formula above gives the result you’d like to be known for?