Lesson 6 - The halo effect is very real.

A respected and well-known brand-name does wonders for your mind. The same product or service can be perceived much more favorably when attached to a brand. The same is with attending a prestigious business school or joining a prestigious firm. The learning may be comparable to other experiences, but the benefit of the doubt and the opportunities naturally attracted to a brand is unparalleled.

Two talented individuals may start out in very similar positions, but the doors a brand can open will cause the trajectory of the two individuals to diverge significantly over time. Their performance and potential may be very similar at first, but the lower friction one experiences will enable the individual to accelerate and grow at a faster rate than the other. Over time, it will be harder and harder for the other individual to catch up.

This is why you should follow the crowd and pursue what others would think highly of. A common misconception is that you have to trade-off between learning and brand-name, which is simply not true. There are menial tasks and great learning opportunities everywhere you go. Even if you have decided that one day you want to start your own business, it will never hurt to have a prestigious brand-name on your resume. The halo effect is very real.