Is it better to be a big fish in a small pond or an ordinary fish in a big pond?

Like the question, is it better to be someone who has higher status compared to a group of average individuals or someone who's 'normal' in a group of above-average individuals?

You have to max out everything to compete with those who are above-average but at the same time, they might be of more use to you in the future if you can befriend them.

Vice versa, you don't need to compete as much with those who are average but they might not be more use of you in the future.