Your reference point is outside of you.

 

Your boss knows where and what it is. He needs no worry.

For the other guy, his reference point is inside of him. The boss is not sure what it is. So, he needs to pay more attention to the other guy.

This kind of triangulation also keeps both of you in your places.

Validate yourself, so you need less validation from others. Your boss knows that you are a decent person. If he is decent too, he'll reward you for your contributions.

(Try to be in your boss's shoes and see what he sees.)