This week’s newsletter was inspired by a conversation I had last year with a client about leaders developing their personal brand and why this is important.
By developing your personal brand, you can influence the perception other people have of you. It helps you to increase engagement, and to be more influential and impactful as a leader. It also helps you to position yourself for career advancement or your next move.
"Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room". ~ Jeff Bezos, CEO Amazon
Your personal brand is the representation of who you are and what you stand for. Jeff Bezos, CEO at Amazon is quoted as saying ‘Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.’ As a leader, being mindful of what you portray should be something to be concerned with.
What brands do you admire and why?
If you look at your favourite brand products and services, what is it about them why you choose them over their competitors? There is something about their offering, their values and what they stand for, and their service that keeps you going back to them again and again.
Successful brands are constantly listening to social cues that let them know whether their brand image is having the desired effect. They need to do this to remain current and relevant, and for their brand to stand out from the crowd.
The same should go for you as a leader, be aware of your brand and whether your presence and leadership has the desired impact that you want. What do people say about you when you’re not in the room? Is this what you want to be known for? Do you even know what they say?
Who are you and what do you stand for?
Your values go to the core of who you are, and they define what matters to you, who you are and what it is you stand for. Do you know what your values are? Are they reflected in your leadership style?
Be clear about what they are and make sure they are reflected in how you live your life and how you are as a leader. By being aligned to your values, you will look and feel more authentic.
How are you utilising your strengths? How are they displayed in the way that you work and the way that you conduct yourself? How well do you embrace your introverted strengths? Confidently embrace them, own them, and rock them.
Don’t try and be something that you are not, people will see through that. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, be yourself and be proud of who you are. Of course, you may need to moderate your behaviour at times according to the environment and situation that you are in. But do this in a way that still aligns with who you are.
Get feedback from others
If you want to know what people say about you when you are not in the room, ask them. Ask colleagues, friends, and family how they would describe you? What do they say your qualities are? What is it that they like about you? What is it that they are not keen on and why? How well (or not) do you communicate with others?
Is the way your family describes you the same as your colleagues or team members? If there is a vast difference, what is the reason for this? The way that we see ourselves is not often how others see us. If you get feedback that is not favourable, don’t be dismayed or upset. Use it to increase your self awareness about the impact your presence and behaviour has on others. If you don’t like what you hear, modify it. They are only telling you how they perceive you.
Many of the women I work with are very modest and tend to view themselves less favourably than how others do and are pleasantly surprised at the feedback they get.
What image do you portray?
Although we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, the reality is this is not always the case. Like it or not, a person will make a judgement about you in the first few seconds of meeting you. This judgement is often made before you have even opened your mouth.
This judgement may not be an accurate representation of who you are, but it will be based on how you come across to them. Give some thought to the first impression you want to leave with people and whether your image accurately represents that.
What is your story?
What is your personal story and how does it shape who you are today? What value does your previous experiences bring to who you are as a leader? Your story helps to differentiate you from others and is what will help to form an emotional connection.
Your personal story forms part of your personal brand. How can you articulate this succinctly and create an emotional connection with others?
Write your personal brand statement
What words describe you that encompass your qualities, skills, strengths, values, what it is that you stand for and what makes you stand out? Reflecting on these questions and the above, write your personal brand statement. Let it convey your expertise, your USP, your personality and what you stand for. Incorporate your personal brand statement in your LinkedIn profile, CV, and other written communication you write about yourself.
Applying these tips will help you to define your personal brand. Once it is defined and you can articulate it, own it, live it, and write it down. Let it become what people say about you when you are not in the room.
What does personal brand mean to you? Are you clear about yours and can you articulate what it is, or do you think defining it is a waste of time? I would love to know so please tell me in the comments below.
First published on LinkedIn.
If you are an introverted woman and a senior leader and want to increase your confidence, influence and impact, take my free assessment and get a report identifying areas to develop. You can take the assessment here.