When you chase status, you miss this

Let me share something that might ruffle some feathers: I’m tired of seeing people chase algorithms and followers like they’re running after a mirage in the desert, getting more parched with every step. The difficult truth is that, when you’re doing backflips trying to game the latest platform update, you’re bound to miss out on something much more powerful.

Your brand isn’t hiding in some magical combination of hashtags or posting times. It’s already inside you, waiting to be uncovered.

So, where exactly is that? Above your intestines and below your ribcage, at the intersection of three crucial elements:

  • your uniqueness (what makes you distinctively you)
  • your expertise (what you’ve mastered)
  • and what truly matters to you

Think of it like a Venn diagram of authenticity. When these three circles overlap, that sweet spot in the middle? That’s where the magic happens. That’s where your true brand exists.

Image Conceptualization Credit: Ariel Hubbard

 

Of course, just because it’s in you doesn’t mean it’s easy to find.

Here’s what we’ve learned at Arcbound after helping countless leaders find their voice:

The Algorithm Trap

It’s easy to do what you think you’re supposed to do (as so many high achievers do) and find yourself stuck in a trap of your own—and technology’s—making. You post what you think will get engagement, say what you think others want to hear, and slowly drift away from what actually matters to you. In this day and age, the instant gratification that comes from likes and followers is so high, and reasonably so. They appeal to our brains’ most primitive wiring.

Unfortunately, you trade deep thinking and self-knowledge for short-term results along the way.

While others are following fleeting trends, the real opportunity lies in diving deep into who you are. It’s like trying to build a house—you can focus on the latest curtain styles (the algorithms), or you can build a rock-solid foundation (your authentic brand). Which one do you think will stand the test of time?

The Power of Intersection

When you align your unique perspective (maybe you’re a former athlete-turned-tech CEO), with your expertise (building high-performance teams), and what truly matters to you (helping others unlock their potential)—that’s when things get interesting.

Or maybe you’re a psychologist-turned-founder, combining a deep understanding of human behavior with startup expertise, driven by a mission to make mental health support more accessible. That’s when you stop being just another voice in the crowd and become a beacon for others.

Keep in mind that social engagement might not show the full picture right away, and that’s why it’s so important to be driven by something much bigger than what any one digital network’s telling you to do. Those who persevere in the long run stay true to who they are, what they can contribute to this world, and the kind of reality they want for themselves and others.

Your Unfair Advantage

Here’s the beautiful irony of it all: by focusing less on what the algorithms want and more on who you truly are, you actually become more magnetic to your ideal audience. It’s like that old saying about how you can spot a fake from a mile away—authenticity has a way of cutting through the noise.

The result?

Instead of building a brand that’s at the mercy of the next platform update, you create something algorithm-proof because it’s built on something much more enduring: you.

This is why the most impactful voices aren’t always the loudest—they’re the most genuine.

I’ve seen this approach transform credible people from reluctant sharers to confident voices in their industry. Not because they cracked some social media code, but because they finally gave themselves permission to be fully, unapologetically themselves.

So here’s my question for you: What would change if you stopped chasing algorithms and started amplifying who you already are?

Drop me a note—I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. And if you’re ready to discover your own brand sweet spot, let’s talk. Sometimes, the best way to see yourself clearly is to have someone else hold up the mirror.