Bootlicking or asslicking seems to be the way of life for minnows here on steemit.
I guess the whales love been worship... Who doesn't?
I don't a lot of people who succeed here by licking asses. The best you get from that isvoccasional and far in between upvotes.
But to succeed on the long run, All you have to do is discover you own niche, create your own identity, keep doing things right every day and build honest relationships with as many people as you can - minnows, dolphins or whales.
Do these and improve yourself, success will definitely find you.
Thanks for your kind words.