My current understanding is that Sam gained good standing as a result of having lots of money for EA causes, not as a result of being charismatic in EA spaces? My sense is that the person you mentioned would struggle to gain good standing in the Lightcone offices without any preexisting money or other power.
No, he gained good standing from being around the EA community for so many years and having sophisticated ethical views (veganism, a form of utilitarianism, etc) and convincing well-respected EAs to work with him and fund him, as well as from having a lot of money and donating it to these spaces. Had the Lightcone Offices existed 5 years ago I expect he would have been invited to work from there (had he asked to), and that was at the start of Alameda.
No, he gained good standing from being around the EA community for so many years and having sophisticated ethical views (veganism, a form of utilitarianism, etc) and convincing well-respected EAs to work with him and fund him, as well as from having a lot of money and donating it to these spaces. Had the Lightcone Offices existed 5 years ago I expect he would have been invited to work from there (had he asked to), and that was at the start of Alameda.