Read the original at The Looking Glass ↗lg.substack.com · subscriber post
By Julie Zhuo · lg.substack.com · @joulee on X · LinkedIn
A short, personal unsent letter addressed to someone who once overlooked the author. The piece reflects on the urge to appear larger and more capable when first meeting an influential figure, and the quiet hurt of feeling passed over. Its core is an emotional reckoning rather than a product or management argument.
Subscriber post — summary only01Key takeaways
- Early impressions of influential people often drive us to perform confidence we don't yet feel.
- Being overlooked by someone you admire can linger and shape how you see your own worth.
- Reflective writing can help process professional disappointment and self-image.
“When I first met you, I tried to stand taller. Look bigger.”Julie Zhuo · The Looking Glass
Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.