Are you hiding behind who you think you should be? Do you feel to be taken seriously, you need to be serious? Do you believe you have to change who you are to succeed?
A woman approached me after a talk I gave, and everything about her screamed serious – her dress, her hairstyle, her facial expression, her language, and even her body language.
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.
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.
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.
Your friends are an extension of who you are. When other people in your life meet your friends they will connect them to your character, your attitude and what you hold important.
With that in mind, consider: how do you describe your friends? How do they treat other people in their lives? How do they see the world? Are they positive, happy, open-minded, adventurous and goal-oriented? Are you?
Your personal brand is defined by what others say about you. Knowing that, it makes sense to create a leadership brand experience that is reflective of your personal brand standards and how you want to stand out.
Doing what is expected positions you to blend in. To stand out and create an experience that screams ‘high standards’ you need to be willing to do the unexpected.
You have just stepped into a new role or been asked to lead a major project. You’re excited and you want to make an exceptional first impression. Your first 30 days whiz by and you feel like you’re lacking the impact you had hoped for.
