Joel Blake: It’s Not Who You Know - It’s Who Knows You

Wit + Grit

Monday, 9 February 2026 - 47 minutes

Joel Blake is a private client solicitor at Wilkes, a Future Faces ambassador, and a Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year winner - but his story starts in Dudley, navigating limited role models and plenty of “you’ll never make it” moments.

In this episode, Joel shares how rejection shaped his resilience, why confidence is built over time, and the mantra that changed everything: it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you. We also dig into imposter syndrome, bridging generational gaps at work (including “upward mentoring”), and why networking works best when it’s human, not transactional.

If you’re a young professional trying to find your way - or a leader who wants to build a stronger team culture - this one’s for you.

Key takeaways

Rejection is part of the process - consistency beats talent when you keep showing up.

“It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.” Put yourself in rooms and build real relationships.

Authenticity wins long-term - pretending to be someone else is exhausting (and unnecessary).

Networking isn’t transactional - it’s about genuine conversations and playing the long game.

Upward mentoring matters - juniors bring value too; trust is built in the small moments.

Working-class background = strength - it can become your edge for empathy, rapport, and connection.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable - growth lives on the other side of fear.

Keywords

Joel Blake, Wilkes, private client solicitor, Future Faces, Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, young professionals, Birmingham, West Midlands, Dudley, Jamaican heritage, social mobility, imposter syndrome, confidence, networking, mentorship, upward mentoring, leadership, trust, resilience, rejection, career development, professional services, law careers, authenticity, workplace culture, generational leadership, community, opportunity

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joel Blake

01:57 Joel's Upbringing and Early Aspirations

06:55 Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience

12:10 Career Journey at Wilkes

16:32 Navigating Change in the Legal Profession

21:14 Building Confidence and Professional Growth

24:14 Fostering Collaboration Across Generations

25:30 Unveiling Surprising Aspects of Personal Growth

27:00 The Power of Authentic Networking

30:09 Pride in Regional Development

34:13 Vision for the Future: Inspiring the Next Generation