Seeing my name on the book cover is incredibly exciting—a first-time experience.
When Yuan-Liou Publishing invited me to write a foreword for Breaking Out of the Echo Chamber: The Art of Building Networks Through Communities, I was genuinely thrilled. But after receiving the book and reading through it, I actually questioned myself: "What value do I possess to write a foreword for such a well-crafted work filled with networking knowledge and energy?" Later, I understood several points from the book and validated them against my own life experience, feeling genuine resonance and inspiration.
The author of Breaking Out of the Echo Chamber: The Art of Building Networks Through Communities, Atsushi Takahashi Karl, is an associate professor at Harvard University and has worked at world-class international companies. Both theoretically and practically, he carries considerable persuasive power. I discovered that countless truths exist in the world that are largely similar, but who delivers them makes all the difference in a statement's value—creating a "qualitative shift." Do you want to become such a person?
I do!
Let me briefly introduce my background. I'm Karen, known online as "少女凱倫" (Teenage Karen), someone who caught the tail end of the post-90s generation. By profession, I'm a media worker—I've been a social media editor, reporter, and PR specialist. After shedding corporate titles, I now manage my personal media channels (FB, WordPress) and have become a columnist for four different media outlets (ETtoday, T談談, 生鮮時書, Project Manager Magazine), specializing in content about careers, life, social media marketing, and interviews. I organize "cross-disciplinary book clubs" that bring together like-minded people for deep exchanges and lifetime friendships. Another notable experience has been serving as the head of brand marketing for XChange, Taiwan's largest internet self-organized community, working alongside over a hundred top-tier Taiwan-based and overseas internet talents.
If I examine myself through universal standards, I'm simply someone who delayed graduation twice, found my first job at 25, have been in the workforce for only three and a half years, and once changed jobs four times in a single year. Most people reviewing my résumé would likely label me as a "directionless young person." Yet before turning 30, I've already built my own platform. Society didn't have time to stick a label on me before validating my personal brand model.
How did I do it?
From my experience, I discovered several things that matter:
- Do what you love
- Do what you're good at
- Do what society needs
Possessing all three simultaneously allowed me to build my own exclusive platform—a conclusion that perfectly aligns with points made in this book. When I encountered that section, I suddenly realized how I became who I am today.
I deeply love writing. Through the process of organizing my thoughts in words, I solidify my thinking and find an outlet for my emotions. This is something I love and something I'm good at.
Due to my family background, I grew up watching my mother run a business. During my studies, I helped with the family shop, giving me the opportunity to interact with people from many different social classes. Later, as a reporter, I met high-level political and business figures, which honed my sensitivity, observation skills, and ability to synthesize information. I transform subtle yet meaningful moments into words that bring insight and reflection to my readers.
But having capability isn't enough. "You also have to be seen," In the past, I struggled to find friends who could discuss deeper ideas. Later, I took the initiative to join offline communities and seek partners to move forward with. Fortunately, everyone I met within XChange possessed tremendous energy and ability. They didn't just help organize events and manage brands; they also lifted each other up, encouraged, and supported one another through career confusion and setbacks.
Through offline communities, in a short time, I gained the opportunity to connect with over a hundred internet powerhouses and discuss what more we could achieve together at the same level. This is the core concept of the book: "networks are your strongest asset." But knowing many prominent people isn't the key—the key is whether you can turn them into "business contacts." Social networks are built among equals, so you must continually improve to keep pace.
Beyond joining communities, I also began to "build my own community." Through organizing book clubs, I had each member share using a 20X20 designer networking night format, combining insights from books with personal stories. What impressed me most was one member with a reading disability who, determined to share well, read a book cover-to-cover for the first time in their life. I realized that by positioning myself as a "bridge," I could transform individual connections into a network, creating opportunities for meaningful exchange and mutual value creation.
My cross-disciplinary book club companions :)
Some people think doing these things is "a waste of time." But when you do something, beyond its surface purpose, you're also writing a script for influencing others.
For example, if you love learning, though not every bit of knowledge will be directly useful, your love of learning itself earns you respect in others' eyes. Respect brings unpredictable success.
If you take every task seriously, though each individual task might seem small in value, others will recognize it and grant you trust. Trust brings unpredictable value.
Building a personal brand creates value and assets no one can take away. If you want to carve out your own space in this narrow and stifling society, don't hesitate—rise up!
