I notice that when I'm down to earth I can connect with people a bit better but somehow it decreases my perceived value.

If I do the opposite, if I act like I am all high and mighty, people treat me with more respect. It feels like bureaucracy. When I treat them like I'm above something, they treat me like I'm up there. When I treat them like we are brothers or sisters, they treat me like random guy.

I don't like being artificial. When I like someone, I want to open up to that person by being down to earth. When I dislike someone, I can't stop myself from giving that person "I don't like you" body language.

So what is the balance? I like being who I am and doing what I feel like doing. Can I change who I am or what is the way to perceive this topic in oneself so you can score the societal benefit points while being yourself?