It was 10:00 PM on April 18, 1775. Two brave men set out from Boston, Massachusetts, on a mission that would ripple through American history. You’ve likely heard of Paul Revere. But what about William Dawes? These two men were tasked with warning the militias in Lexington and Concord that British troops were on their way to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock. While both carried the same urgent message, only one name echoed through the ages.
Paul Revere became a national icon. William Dawes, not so much.
Why do we remember Revere and not Dawes? It boils down to one thing: visibility through connections. Revere was a well-known silversmith, an influential figure in colonial Boston with a broad social and political network. When he knocked on a door and shouted, “The British are coming,” people not only listened—they remembered. William Dawes, a tanner with far fewer public ties, didn’t have the same impact. Even if he shared the same message with the same urgency, he simply didn’t have the reputation or recognition that stuck in people’s minds.
History’s lens was further narrowed when poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized Revere in his famous (and not entirely accurate) poem, Paul Revere’s Ride. The poem didn’t even mention Dawes. It was Revere who got the credit—and the legacy.
This tale is a brilliant metaphor for how networking plays out in real life. In business, leadership, or even personal pursuits, it’s not always the best or the fastest who get remembered. It’s the most connected. Paul Revere’s legacy wasn’t just about what he did; it was about who knew he did it.
The reality is, being good at what you do isn’t always enough. You need people to know about it. The difference between remembered and forgotten often comes down to how well you’ve cultivated your network.
Ask yourself: are you building relationships that help amplify your message? Are you visible in your industry or community? Whether through networking events, social media, or simply staying connected with past colleagues and clients, every touchpoint is a chance to grow your influence.
Building a strong network isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about creating meaningful connections that allow others to know your story and carry it forward. Consider LinkedIn, industry meetups, podcasts, or even writing guest blog posts as ways to extend your reach. Make it easy for people to refer to you—not just “a guy” or “a woman”—but by name, with clarity about who you are and what you bring to the table.
The “Revere Effect” still plays out today. In startups, the founder with media contacts gets the press. In corporate settings, the employee who is top of mind often gets the promotion. It’s not about being flashy—it’s about being present and connected.
Want to explore how visibility influences success more deeply? You may enjoy reading this related post: How to Apply Cumulative Advantage and Social Agents to Scale Your Business. It explores how small advantages in exposure and timing can lead to outsized rewards over time—a theme that perfectly echoes the Revere and Dawes story.
So, what are you doing today to ensure you’re the Revere of your field, not the Dawes?
