What’s Really Happening?

It looks like:

“I found this brilliant person and helped them succeed.”

“Look at how well they are doing — thanks to me seeing their worth.”

“I don’t need anything in return, I just love helping talent bloom… (but make sure everyone knows I was the one who watered the flower).”

It’s cloaked in praise, but rooted in:

Control

Self-image management

Emotional colonization

Soft power games