In a recent LinkedIn post, Callum Laing delves into the evolving strategies for career advancement, particularly for senior professionals. Laing challenges the traditional reliance on CVs and opens a discussion on how to cultivate a powerful network that extends far beyond direct connections.
He begins by highlighting a crucial point made during an interview for Veblen board positions:
“CV’s are for the beginning of your career. Referrals are how senior people get ahead”
. Laing acknowledges this as a potent observation, even humorously noting his intent to “steal it” for future use. However, he posits that there’s a more advanced strategy at play, a “next level” in professional networking and reputation building.
The Three Levels of Professional Influence
Callum Laing breaks down influence into three distinct levels, illustrating how visibility and opportunity expand with each stage. He uses a network model radiating outwards from an individual at the center.
Level 1: Direct Network
Laing describes the first level as the immediate circle of connections. “The average person is known by 200 people,” he states. At this level, the probability of finding a perfect job, business partner, or investor through these direct contacts is considered “pretty negligible.” While valuable, this direct network alone is insufficient for significant advancement.
Level 2: Remarkable Actions Creating Indirect Reach
The second level, according to Laing, involves doing something so noteworthy that it prompts people within your network to talk about you to individuals outside of it. This expands reach significantly. “Just the law of big numbers suggests that you will start to see more opportunities here,” Laing explains. This stage leverages the power of secondary connections, increasing the pool of potential opportunities.
Level 3: Unsolicited Endorsements
The highest level of influence, as outlined by Laing, is when people you don’t know begin talking about you to other people you also don’t know. This is where “everything goes up a level.” This indirect but powerful form of advocacy means that when someone you’ve never met is looking for a solution you can provide, they are much more receptive to reaching out if they’ve heard about you through a trusted third party. Laing emphasizes that this isn’t mystical but a practical application of probability: “Right now someone is out there looking for exactly what you can offer and they will pay a premium for the solution. The problem is they don’t know you exist.”
Cultivating Remarkability
To achieve this elevated level of influence, Laing prompts professionals to consider what makes them or their work “remarkable.” He offers a practical pivot for those struggling with this question: “And if you’re struggling with this instead start with the question ‘Who can I help best?’. Start doing that and it becomes remarkable.” By focusing on genuinely assisting others, professionals can naturally build a reputation that precedes them, opening doors to opportunities they might not have otherwise accessed.
Laing concludes his post by inviting connections and offering resources, further underscoring his commitment to professional development and networking.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Callum Laing on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on April 22, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →