When the people around you, your colleagues, boss and direct reports can’t see into the core of who you are, how do they know your character and personal brand?
Your personal brand – generated by your internal operating system, the intangible elements of your personality – does show up without your having to wear a sign. They are revealed in your actions, the words you use and how you present yourself.
Have you ever stopped to think about your communication style and the impact it has on you and your personal brand?
Do you often run on autopilot just falling into conversational habits? Many times not even tuned into the words you are using and how your message is being received. You are more focused on getting your message out and being heard than really making a connection and creating an experience for the other person.
Personal branding has been a hot topic ever since management guru Tom Peters popularized the idea that people – like companies – can have brands, in his blockbuster article “The Brand Called You” (Fast Company, August 1997).
Do you ever struggle with not feeling good enough? You begin to question your own abilities by comparing yourself to others and downplaying your assets. You look around at your peers and feel like ‘they’ have it all figured out.
I don’t know about you but there have been occasions in my life where I have done everything possible to please someone. The result typically is “that person” is still not satisfied and I feel underappreciated, maybe even a bit resentful.
Your brand is an extension of you and an expression of what you stand for. You continually show others who you are through the actions you take and the words you use. Both contribute to the story of your brand and what others believe to be true about you.
You do have a choice and can absolutely get what you want. The biggest part lies in the knowing. Here is where most leaders get stuck…they don’t know what they want.
Think of a time in your life when you wanted something really badly. You wanted it so badly that you were willing to invest the extra effort and let nothing get in your way.
The fact is, you have a brand. Your brand has been with you for your whole life. It is present whether you consciously work on it or not. It doesn’t go away or take a back seat when you’re busy.
Your brand represents you by all you have done or not done. It is both the tangible and intangible parts of you that influence your brand. It is revealed through the experiences people have of you based on your image, presence, attitude, values, skills, passions, key strengths and natural talents.
Last December, when I began to think about the upcoming year, I decided to go beyond the “to do” list of accomplishments. I wanted to actually have experiences that allowed me to reconnect with myself and rediscover what was truly important.
Do you believe in happy endings and the possibility of dreams coming true? If not, please DON’T BURST MY BUBBLE!
There is evidence all around us to prove that dreams do come true. The proof shows up when we focus on the things that support our dreams rather than on the things that don’t.
