How to Build Value That Grows With You—Not Just Your Resume
Tangible skills fade. Intangible traits make people trust, follow, and remember you.
Most people try to “build value” by stacking surface-level skills—like picking up the latest coding language or mastering a new marketing hack. But here's the catch: if everyone's doing that, how do you stand out?
You don't. You just blend into the noise. Because when you only focus on the obvious, you become… well, replaceable.
Consider the web developer who learns React, then Vue, then Svelte—always chasing the next framework but never developing the insight to know which solution truly serves the client's needs.
The real magic? It's hiding below the surface. There's a deeper layer to the Value Equation—one where intangibles quietly become your biggest unfair advantage.
Tangibles vs. Intangibles: The Hierarchy No One Talks About
When you build your identity around tangibles—like job titles, certifications, or even the number of clients you've served—you're playing on a field that's flat. These things are replaceable. Outsourced. Automatable.
And AI is rapidly absorbing these skills at an accelerating pace.
But intangibles—like emotional intelligence, taste, self-awareness, timing—those live in a whole different world. They're rooted in how you see, feel, and respond.
Most people overlook them, because they're hard to quantify. That's exactly why they matter more.
Why Intangibles Are a Power Move
They Build Real Trust
Hard skills might land you the job. But intangible traits—curiosity, empathy, reliability—are what keep people coming back.
Trust isn’t earned with a portfolio; it's built in the small, consistent ways you show up. And once you've got trust, people don't just hire you—they follow you.
They Create Flow with the Right People
Ever notice how some opportunities just seem to appear at the perfect time? That's not luck. When your inner compass is aligned with your values and purpose—when you're open-minded, grounded, self-aware—you naturally attract aligned people and projects.
You become someone others want to build with.
Think of the entrepreneur whose genuine enthusiasm for solving problems attracts both talent and investors who share their vision.
They Can’t Be Faked
You can't fake care. Or presence. Or integrity. These are slow-cooked qualities—shaped by lived experience and reflection. When everyone's chasing shortcuts, depth becomes rare. And rare stands out.
A creator who consistently delivers authentic content will outlast the trend-chasers who mimic popular styles without substance.
Rethinking the Value Equation
You've probably seen this before:
Value = (Skill + Perspective) × Leverage
It's solid. But let's bring it to life with intangibles:
Skill (Tangible): This is table stakes. Knowing how to do the thing is expected—but not exceptional. This is your foundation.
Perspective (Intangible): This is where your voice lives. It's the lens you've earned through your experiences, failures, questions, and growth. Perspective transforms your skill from generic to distinctive, making your work feel one-of-a-kind.
Leverage (Mixed): While tools and systems help amplify your work, nothing scales like trust, reputation, and resonance. When these intangibles combine with tangible distribution channels, your impact multiplies exponentially. That's leverage money can't buy.
Put these together, and your value isn't just functional—it's felt.
The Three-Step Path to Intangible Value
Step 1: Get Intimate with Your Blind Spots
You can’t grow what you won’t look at. Self-awareness isn’t a buzzword—it's a daily discipline.
Try asking yourself:
What triggered me today, and what's underneath that?
Where did I feel unusually clear or energized?
Which subtle strengths did I lean on—listening, adapting, staying calm under pressure?
These mini check-ins build a deeper kind of confidence.
Step 2: Prioritize Connection Over Credentials
Sure, sharpen your skills. But don't underestimate the soft stuff. Because in the long run, people don't remember your resume—they remember how you made them feel.
If you're a designer:
Share thoughtful feedback without ego.
Make others feel seen by acknowledging the thinking behind their work, not just the output.
Document your process and offer it freely—especially to beginners.
These actions demonstrate that you value relationships over recognition. That's empathy in motion. And it sticks.
Step 3: Borrow Brilliance, Make It Yours
Want to level up fast? Study the greats—not just what they do, but how they show up.
How do they navigate tension?
How do they hold space in conversations?
How do they bounce back from a no?
Take what resonates. Remix it with your voice. Watch how a mentor handles criticism with grace, then practice that approach in your next feedback session. The goal isn't to copy—it's to integrate.
The ROI of the Invisible
When your skills are backed by character, clarity, and depth—your value becomes undeniable. The transformation is subtle but profound: You're no longer just a "consultant" or a "strategist." You're the one people call when it matters. Your energy precedes your offer.
And here's the twist: the more you invest in the intangible, the more opportunities come to you. Not because you're louder—but because your presence speaks for itself.
From “Nice-to-Have” to Irreplaceable
In a world obsessed with quick wins, tangibles will always have their place. But the intangibles? They're the long game. The edge that can't be downloaded or delegated.
Focus on your voice. Your depth. Your way of seeing the world. That's what makes you irreplaceable.
Because in the end, your most valuable asset isn't what's listed on your resume—it's the unique constellation of intangibles that shine through everything you do, especially when no one's keeping score.
That’s all for today.
What’s one intangible you want to cultivate this year?
–Ahmed
I would like to work on self awarenes this year, being more intentional about knowing what's going on about me.