Effort, Visibility and the Redefinition of Success?

visibility is a competitive advantage

So, right off the top, I have an opinion I need to get off my chest but I don’t want you to judge me.

I find it frustrating when random people go viral.

When someone with no real expertise suddenly dominates the conversation, lands lucrative deals or builds a massive following overnight, it feels like the wrong message is being rewarded. What about hard work? Does skill and knowledge even matter anymore?

But in today’s world, effort isn’t just about mastery—it’s about visibility. And visibility often wins.

We see it everywhere. The social media influencer who becomes the face of an industry they barely understand. The viral LinkedIn post full of generic advice that outperforms thoughtful, research-backed insights. The Super Bowl ad that sparks worldwide conversation even if it’s not the best or most innovative product. These individuals or brands didn’t necessarily put in years of work but simply mastered the art of attention.

Is success today more about showing up than actually being great at what you do?

Not necessarily.

But it does mean that to stay relevant, knowledge alone isn’t enough—you also need to be seen.

In this issue of Today’s Brand, I’ll explore how effort and visibility are redefining success.

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It’s no secret that, today, success depends less on what you know and more on how you show up.

As I like to say: It’s no longer about what you know but who knows what you know.

Personal branding (the effort to curate and amplify your professional identity) has become a vital currency. It’s not always the most knowledgeable or technically skilled person who gets ahead; instead, it’s often the one who puts in the effort to be visible.

Recently, I was reading Adam Grant’s article in the New York Times, “School Grades: A Quantity Over Quality Problem.” He argues that today’s grading systems prioritize quantity (how many assignments a student completes) over quality, or the depth of their understanding.

While reading, I realized that, in many ways, the world now operates on a similar principle: those who put in visible effort are often rewarded over those with quieter, more focused expertise.

The parallels between school and work are striking.

In education, rewarding effort encourages engagement and participation, helping students stay motivated. But as Grant points out, it can also inadvertently shift focus away from mastery and excellence. When students are praised for completing more work instead of creating higher-quality work, they learn that showing up matters more than standing out.

I have found that this same principle has crept into professional life. Today, visibility (whether it’s a strong LinkedIn presence, speaking engagements or frequent networking) often carries more weight than expertise. The person who actively shares their story, connects with others and demonstrates effort is the one most likely to seize opportunities.

Now, let’s be clear: this should not dismiss the hard work behind these achievements but it’s certainly worth considering how our focus on visibility influences how we define success.

To be honest, this redefinition of success was a huge wake up call for me as I often think that I was prepared for a world of work that no longer exists. I was raised to believe that if I kept my head down, worked hard and achieved good grades, I would get everything I ever desired in life. And in fact, as a child, I did. My dad, who loved (and still loves!) to celebrate my success, used to give me $20 for every ‘A’ I got on my report card. This was incentive enough for me to push myself so I could go stock up on new books and clothes.

But as I got older and started to get my first taste of rejection despite good grades, I felt hurt. It was then that I realized that regardless of my knowledge and skill, if no one knew who I was, it would impact my ability to achieve my professional goals.

So, does effort and visibility really outweigh knowledge and skill? I can say now that in many cases, the answer is yes - but it’s not an either/or proposition. The key is finding a balance between showing up and delivering substance.

More recently, I've spent a lot of time thinking about the Super Bowl. Admittedly, not because of the game but the fact that it’s the biggest stage for brand visibility. With over 100 million viewers tuned in, a 30-second commercial now costs upwards of $8 million USD. Why do companies invest so heavily? Because in today’s attention economy, visibility is everything.

Super Bowl ads aren’t always about the best product or the most innovative service. They’re about memorable moments—ones that spark conversations, flood social media and cement a brand's place in pop culture. These brands understand that success isn’t just about quality. It’s about making sure people see, remember and talk about you.

Ultimately, the same principle applies to personal branding and career success. Being great at what you do isn’t enough if no one knows about it.

Whether you’re a company fighting for attention on Super Bowl Sunday or a professional building your career, visibility is a competitive advantage.

In a world where personal branding increasingly defines success, effort and visibility have become essential tools. For professionals, the challenge is to use these tools strategically—showing up consistently, delivering value and staying true to their expertise.

I know that the idea of being visible doesn’t sit well with everyone. There are two questions that fundamentally reframed the way I think about visibility, empowering me to show up confidently:

Ultimately, the goal isn’t to abandon knowledge in favour of effort. It’s to integrate the two, creating a professional identity that’s both visible and impactful.

I’d love to hear from you - what’s your take? Are we overemphasizing effort and visibility in today’s world or is this just the natural evolution of how we define success? Let's chat in the comments.

Here is this month's spread of what I'm up to, alongside my picks for books, podcasts and videos.

📚 What I’m Reading: Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson, Code Dependent by Madhumita Murgia and Perspective Agents by Chris Perry

📱What I’m Watching: Bill Gates on TikTok

🎧 What I’m Listening to: Best Idea Yet Podcast

📣 What I’m up to: My Black History Month profile by POCAM

Thanks for reading this month’s issue! I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments so feel free to reach out. Be sure to subscribe to get future editions sent right to your inbox.

Until next time,

Chanele