The Visibility Trap: When Expression Meets Effort

 We easily abandon efforts that yield few initial results. We try for a time, then let go.

For weeks, I have contemplated a question: How do I create more visibility?

AI tools and social media experts offer the same advice: Build content. Grab attention.

Conversely, I believe—as Naval Ravikant notes—that quality work naturally attracts its network. We should not chase mindless networking.

This principle may hold true for B2C or B2B services. However, as an individual, you must still present your views for industry leaders and peers to find them. The motive is not ulterior. It is ensuring the voice inside is heard. This matters to me.

The History of a Restart

I began looking at my past LinkedIn posts. I have written consistently for a few years. Time flies quickly.

My archives hold excellent blog posts. There was a period where I also produced YouTube videos, embedding them in my LinkedIn newsletter. Most newsletters featured a bold image of me. It declared my presence. I was not afraid to be visible.

It worked well. While I never received job offers from CIOs or CISOs, there was engagement: a few dozen likes, a few comments. Clearly, things were rolling.

But then I stopped.

Defining the Metric

As a thought leader, this new push requires clarity. The decision I must make is fundamental:

• What am I measuring for?

• What does genuine engagement look like for me?

• What specific results do I expect?

Without defining these metrics, this back and forth will continue. We will never reach the potential we started for.