In this episode, I sat down with Barney O’Kelly, Head of Solutions & Product Marketing at Alex Partners, to talk about the career strategy behind one of his favorite mantras:
“Be seen, make friends.”
Barney believes personal branding isn’t about going viral or building a huge audience. It’s about being intentional with how you show up—inside your company, on LinkedIn, and in your network.
We talked about what visibility really means, how to shape your professional identity, and why your brand is already saying something—even if you haven’t touched your profile in years.
Key Takeaways
✅ Your job title is not your story. Who you are and how you do your work matters more than what your role is.
✅ “Be seen, make friends” is a mindset shift—visibility + relationships are the foundation of career growth.
✅ You don’t need to be loud or post daily to build a personal brand. Start with a clear profile, strong photo, and a story worth reading.
✅ Personal brand isn’t just external—it helps your colleagues understand who you are, what you care about, and where you want to go.
✅ LinkedIn is your digital first impression. Use it intentionally—even if you’re not looking for a job.
✅ The best way to grow your network isn’t to promote yourself, but to connect others and create value.
Quote from Barney
“Your job title is the least interesting thing about you. What you do, how you do it, and why—that’s where your story lives.”
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Intro & Barney’s current role
02:00 – “Be Seen, Make Friends”: where it comes from
05:00 – Why personal brand matters (even when you’re not job hunting)
07:30 – LinkedIn as a runway, not a resume
10:00 – The elements of a strong profile: photo, headline, about section
13:00 – Finding your story and refining your positioning
17:00 – How internal brand builds influence at work
22:00 – The difference between self-promotion and storytelling
27:00 – Advice for introverts: how to network without shouting
33:00 – Helping others shape their voice
37:00 – What Barney looks for when hiring
42:00 – Can your brand evolve as you grow?
47:00 – Where to start if you're building from scratch
50:00 – Connect with Barney
🔗 Connect with Barney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barneyokelly/
🔗 Follow Ivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanburic/