Sometimes the biggest breakthrough in your work comes from who stands next to you.

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We’ve been watching a string of Robert Redford movies at our house this past week, kind of a tribute marathon after hearing about his passing.

One thing I didn’t know: he almost didn’t get the role that made him famous.

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When Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was being cast, the studio had other names in mind: Jack Lemmon, then Steve McQueen. Even after those fell through, they thought Redford was too “lightweight” for the role.

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The only reason he got the part? The director, George Roy Hill, wouldn’t let it go. He kept fighting for Redford until the studio finally gave in.

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Once Redford was paired with Paul Newman, the chemistry was undeniable. Two actors who could have carried films solo became unforgettable together. That movie launched one of Hollywood’s great duos and turned Redford into a star.

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That’s what I call the Ensemble Effect.

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When you’re building something on your own, it’s easy to get tunnel vision about what you can prove by yourself. But sometimes, your biggest leap forward doesn’t come from going solo. It comes from standing next to someone more well-known or trusted.

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It can also lead to richer outcomes, as Redford would later recall: “The film was the start of a lifelong friendship, and I had the most fun of any film I ever made.”

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👉 This week’s Play Big challenge: Who could you stand next to the coming months (maybe on a stage, in a post, or in a partnership) to amplify your authority? Or, if you have some spotlight, who might you share it with? What’s the first step you can take to make either option happen?

Want to be known for your ideas?
Start by seeing the connections others miss.​
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San Francisco-based interface designer Matthew Siu built Pathfinder, a visual thinking tool that maps the path between two concepts.

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Think of it as Google Maps for ideas: enter two topics (for example: art + architecture, or toys + literature), and it generates four distinct pathways connecting them. Each path is color-coded to highlight subtle differences in meaning and direction.

It’s not a brand-new concept, but Siu’s take adds clarity, elegance, and a creative edge that helps you think in ways others don’t. It’s a fun shortcut to more original thinking.

One of the easiest ways to get noticed? Show up with thoughtful contributions to the conversations already happening. You don’t need to chase the news cycle, but you do need to stay in tune with it. Set a few Google Alerts for your niche, key terms, or even competitor names. It’s a lightweight way to track what ideas are gaining traction. Then you can: Spot emerging trends before they’re saturated Join conversations with real context Show up informed, not just first Credibility starts with knowing what’s being said, then adding something that proves you’re paying attention. Not sure which words to use in your alerts? Your favorite AI tool likely has some suggestions. 🙂

I’ve launched a Notes chat on Substack, and I’d love for you to join.

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If you’ve got thoughts on this issue, a question you’ve been sitting on, or just want to say hi, you can jump in here. It works on the web or in the Substack app.

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I’ve been looking for a more casual way to connect with readers. Less formal than email, more like a hallway conversation. This is my experiment. Come say hey and let’s see where it goes.

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Until next week: Stay small. Play big.

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Terri

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P.S. When you’re ready for more, here are a few resources from the Solo Business School:

• Download the free Solo Business Canvas​
• Explore Content Velocity, my course on creating quality content with AI support
• Browse the Resource Hub for tools I recommend

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Want to send a question or comment? Please do — I read (and respond to) my email.

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Authority By Design is a registered trademark, and Content Velocity and Working Solo are trademarks, of Make International LLC. Issue #081.