You already have a personal brand
You have a Personal Brand right now whether you know it or not.
You have a Personal Brand right now whether or not it’s something that you care about.
You have a Personal Brand right now even if you think this idea is stupid.
Your Personal Brand is whatever everybody else says it is
The reason you already have a Personal Brand is because others define it for you — based on their experiences interacting with you.
Your behaviors convey your Brand
You convey your Personal Brand just by existing.
Your reputation is based on your behaviors…what you show, share, do, give and take from others.
It’s based on how you communicate (or not). It’s based on how you value those around you (or not).
So the two key ideas I want to share here are:
1.
Is your current Personal Brand what you want it to be?
2.
Why it is worth developing your Personal Brand to serve your career in an intentional way
Your Best Self
Think about having a strong Personal Brand as having a clear picture of who you are authentically and at your very best, and then committing to show up as that best version of your self more often.
1. Knowing what your Personal Brand is (by getting feedback from others) then…
2. Defining what you want it to be (your authentic, best self that you’d like to be recognized for), and then…
3. Sharing it with others (by behaving consistently in a way that demonstrates it) has many upsides in your career and life.
In the next weeks I am going to be writing short articles on each of the following 10 reasons why understanding and being intentional about your Personal Brand is so valuable. But here’s a sneak peek.
Confidence and Satisfaction
1. Be more confident
Having a clear picture of your best self helps you show up that way on purpose and more frequently. Being at your best builds confidence. Also when you know what puts you at your best, you have a place to go when you feel nervous or unsure, where you can feel confident that you will do well.
2. Be more fulfilled
When you know clearly what you stand for, and what has the most meaning to you, and where your natural strengths lie (all the things that go into a Personal Brand) it’s easier to find meaning and satisfaction in your work.
3. Lose the fear of not being good enough
When you are in tune with your best self, and your brand is based on your natural gifts and strengths, it’s easier to trust that your real, authentic self is not only welcome and good enough — but excellent at doing what you do best.
Effectiveness
4. Be more effective/save time
When you have a framework for how you operate at your best, you can get there quicker. Having a your Brand defined is like having a roadmap and a checklist for how you work at your best. When you face a blank page on anything, you can use that pattern to get started quickly and with confidence, and spend less time wondering what to do or how to start.
5. Face fewer stupid questions
When others know your Brand — what to expect from you consistently, they trust you more, so you face fewer annoying challenges and questions to defend your decisions and investments (and your honor). This saves time!
6. Easier decisions
When you face a tough decision, if you have a clear image of how your best self would handle it, you can consult that person. I do this all the time. (The Patty with the better hair.)
Recognition & Reputation
7. Establish yourself quickly in new situations
When you know ahead of time how you want to show up and be perceived, you can show up that way on purpose, immediately and consistently, so you build a strong reputation quickly from the start.
8. Recognition & Credibility
If you are being consistent in your most positive behaviors, that consistency reinforces what you want people to know about you, so your recognition soars (for specifically what you want to be recognized for).
9. Be the obvious choice
When you are wanting promotion and advancement, you need to make yourself be seen as the obvious choice. Knowing your Brand helps you position yourself with confidence, consistently, to get strongly associated with the role you want to attain.
10. Increase executive presence
There is no better foundation for a compelling executive presence than the natural confidence you will have from knowing who you are and putting your authentic best self forward. People with strong Personal Brands naturally have high credibility and strong executive presence.
Do you want some help with your Personal Brand?
Do you want some help understanding, defining and developing your own powerful Personal Brand?
Authentic Leadership and Personal Brand
I am excited to share with you my new video class on Authentic Leadership and Personal Brand
Learn how to understand and assert your best, authentic self to quickly build your reputation and executive presence.
This class is created from the best ideas and tools I have been delivering on this topic to corporations for years. And now, for the first time ever, I’m able to offer it to individuals.
You can explore the class here and preview some of the videos.
GAIN CONFIDENCE AND RECOGNITION
Learn how to understand and assert your best, authentic self to quickly build your reputation and executive presence.
I encourage you to take moment to have a look at this new class. I’m really proud of it.
It contains the key insights that will strengthen your confidence and your career, and includes step-by-step guidance and worksheets to help you build your unique, authentic Personal Brand and use it to your advantage.
I want you to have the career you want.
Become a more effective and inspiring leader and achieve your career aspirations. This class will help you get there and feel more confident along the way.
Patty Azzarello
Patty is available to speak at your company, annual meeting, or customer event. She can also deliver a custom workshop on Leadership or Strategy Execution for your leadership team. Contact Patty.
Or if you would like some personal help on your own professional development, check out her Executive Mentoring Group. It’s filled with insights, resources and support to build your executive confidence, advance your career, and includes direct mentoring from Patty.
MORE ABOUT PATTY:
Patty Azzarello is an executive, best-selling author, speaker and CEO/Business Advisor. She became the youngest general manager at HP at the age of 33, ran a billion dollar software business at 35 and became a CEO for the first time at 38 (all without turning into a self-centered, miserable jerk)
