In a recent LinkedIn post, entrepreneur and investor Steven Bartlett shared his perspective on a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of career development: a specific type of ‘proximity’ that can accelerate learning for junior professionals. Bartlett distinguishes this from the commonly cited advice of simply being present in influential circles.
According to Bartlett, the most impactful form of proximity isn’t about being in the room where major decisions are made, but rather being with individuals who actively explain their thought processes as they work. He emphasizes the difference between observing success and understanding the journey behind it.
“The difference between watching someone successful and watching someone explain their thinking while they work is the difference between seeing a magic trick and learning how it’s done…”
Redefining ‘Proximity’ in Professional Development
Bartlett recounts a formative experience from his early career, working for a CEO in San Francisco at the age of 19. This CEO, he explains, would constantly narrate his decision-making process in real-time. This included detailing the confusion, the failed attempts, the ‘mess of thinking,’ and the underlying rationale for his choices.
This direct, vocalized insight, Bartlett argues, is far more valuable than mere association with successful people. He posits that much of the commonly sought ‘proximity’ is ineffective because it lacks this crucial element of explanation.
“Most proximity is useless because it’s silent. You watch but don’t understand. Being close to excellence that offers no explanation is useless.”
The Power of ‘Thinking Out Loud’
Bartlett advocates for seeking out mentors and colleagues who are willing to ‘work with their mouth open.’ This involves individuals who think aloud, share their rough drafts, and openly discuss their failures as they occur. This continuous, transparent explanation demystifies success and provides actionable learning opportunities.
As a leader himself, Bartlett states he actively tries to emulate this approach with his own team. He makes a conscious effort to think out loud and explain the intricacies of his decision-making, even if it means slowing down his own workflow. This effort aims to bridge the knowledge gap for junior members who may lack the years of context he has accumulated.
“I think about this a lot now as a leader – and I try my best with my team to think out-loud, to explain every detail of my thinking (even if it slows me down) and to avoid assuming everyone else has the context that I’ve spent 15 years building up.”
Impact on Junior Talent
The core of Bartlett’s message is that true mentorship and accelerated development come from this kind of transparent, real-time guidance. It’s not about gaining access to elite circles, but about gaining access to the minds of those who can articulate their expertise.
He concludes by posing a question to his audience, inviting them to share their own experiences with leaders who have taken the time to explain their processes, highlighting the lasting impact such guidance can have.
“Have you worked with leaders like this that took the time to explain things to you?”
Bartlett’s insights underscore the importance of intentional knowledge transfer in fostering the next generation of professionals, emphasizing that clarity in explanation is as vital as proximity itself.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Steven Bartlett on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on December 7, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →