You are dealing with an insecure, brand-focused authority figure whose enlightenment is purely performative. His hostility was never about your intelligence; it was an externalized panic reaction to his own felt inadequacy. Met with calm, unflappable silence, his posturing collapsed—leaving only "dead air" and a transparent excuse.
What a great description of what happened! Sometimes I still hear a voice in my head questioning my participation in the dynamic, and your framing is very helpful - "an externalized panic reaction" and collapsed posturing - so true!
You are dealing with an insecure, brand-focused authority figure whose enlightenment is purely performative. His hostility was never about your intelligence; it was an externalized panic reaction to his own felt inadequacy. Met with calm, unflappable silence, his posturing collapsed—leaving only "dead air" and a transparent excuse.
What a great description of what happened! Sometimes I still hear a voice in my head questioning my participation in the dynamic, and your framing is very helpful - "an externalized panic reaction" and collapsed posturing - so true!