Why is building a personal brand important for career advancement?

Building a personal brand is essential because hierarchical structures mean fewer positions exist at the top, making career advancement competitive. As Jeffrey Pfeffer explains, you cannot be promoted if decision-makers don't know who you are and recognize your value. It's insufficient to simply have skills; you need visibility. Effective brand-building involves strategic differentiation through various means - networking, creating content, developing a distinctive style, or building partnerships. Laura Chow exemplifies this by leveraging her height, unique style, podcasting, and networking events to stand out as a venture capitalist. Remember that substance without visibility limits your impact, while visibility must be backed by substance for credibility.