I would agree with this. You touch on this a little bit already but I have also found that it is productive to give a hand to the newer people. If you give someone their only upvote on a their post and say a few kind words, they often make a point to come around and check out your work. In time, that "little guy" might be bigger than you and there is a good chance they will remember what you did or said and return the kindness.