Steven Bartlett’s debate between Daniel Priestley and Gary Stevenson raised big questions about opportunity, influence, and how young people can navigate an uncertain economy. One point stood out—personal branding as a tool for professionals to leverage and advance in their careers, even for the less experienced and young. Entrepreneurs, CEOs and thought leaders already understand the value of a personal brand - what if everyone else followed suit? When access to opportunities is limited, the ability to be seen, recognized, and trusted in your industry changes everything. What's the point of building a fantastic portfolio if no one will see it? A personal brand puts the spotlight on you and your work. We’ve seen it firsthand. The right positioning opens doors that would otherwise take years to reach. In a world where networks and reputation drive career mobility, it’s an avenue that more young professionals should be using.
Is building a personal brand an answer to the crisis young people in the UK face? Like most of the internet this weekend, I watched Steven Bartlett host a debate on the economy between Daniel Priestley and Gary Stevenson. Daniel was asked “For an ambitious young person who wants to get ahead, what are some things they could do?†and he replied that young people could look at what Gary had done for himself to get in the position he has in his career - build a personal brand. We don’t often hear the idea of young people building a personal brand and it was refreshing to hear someone promote it as a potential solution to barriers young people face in building careers. I genuinely believe in this modern world it should be a key skill taught in schools and is one of the most fundamental things a young person could do to help open those first doors. The answers to the problems discussed in the debate were wide spreading but I think it’s a positive someone mentioned personal branding as a potential option for young people. Personal Branding isn’t just for Founders and CEOs, it’s for anyone looking to create a career of opportunity.