How to Create a Winning Personal Brand
Nike. Apple. Starbucks. What comes to mind when you think of these top brands? You might imagine hard-working athletes when you think of Nike, or words like sleek, modern and fashion-forward when you hear Apple. But guess what? The same idea applies to your personal brand. What comes to mind when people hear your name or see you at work? It’s your personal brand.
Creating a personal brand requires self-awareness and intentionality. But how do you create a winning personal brand – a positive, trusted and recognizable reputation? You need to understand your values and how people see and experience you right now. And I’m here to tell you that you have more control over this image than you think.
What is a personal brand?
Simply put, your personal brand is how others perceive you, for better or for worse. It’s an outward snapshot of what you value on the inside, and it creates meaning, trust, opportunity, and trustworthy experiences for you and the people you interact with.
A personal brand is not created overnight. It takes time and consistency for this image to stick at work and in the world. But the good news is that you can change your personal brand as you grow and get to know yourself better. So how do you create a winning personal brand?
Get to know yourself now
Creating a winning personal brand takes a few steps. We’ll start by seeing where you are – and who you are – right now. Here are some questions to ask yourself to understand your current personal brand.
1. What does my personal brand look like today?
The first step in creating your personal brand is to take note of what is working – or not working – for you today. Don’t think too much. Ask yourself the question:
How do people perceive me? Maybe you have a reputation for being a willing helper or someone who is more distant. How would people describe your personality and behavior on a normal day?
What character traits do I need to maintain and improve? When you think of your best qualities, what comes to mind? List your most positive character traits – the ones that would have a big impact on your life if they were a little stronger. Maybe you love to teach, you’re a great communicator, or you’re the most reliable person you know. Note the natural qualities that have a positive impact on the world around you.
What behaviors should I get rid of? Think about all the behaviors that are holding you back or having a negative effect on your daily life. Maybe you always arrive at the office five minutes late or find it hard to accept compliments. Simple tweaks could really improve your brand image. But for now, just think about those behaviors that are holding you back and write them down.
2. What are my talents and values?
Now that you’ve looked at your daily behaviors, it’s time to dig a little deeper and think about how you’re built and what matters most to you. Here are some questions you can start asking:
How did God build me? Some people are made to create, others thrive in hard physical labor, still others thrive as a coach or a humanitarian. Write down the activities that make you live.
What do I want to be known for? Dig deep, friends! This question is not meant to create a lofty, unachievable goal, it’s meant to reveal the core of who you really are. If you like business, maybe you want to be known as an amazing team builder. If you’re a hairstylist, maybe you want to be recognized for showcasing a person’s unique features. What is one thing you want to be remembered for?
If _______ is what matters, how do I want to be perceived? What actions should I take to create this perception? If leadership matters most to you, you may want to be seen as a team player. To be seen as a team player, you must take actions that support and serve your team. It sounds simple, but consistent action over time builds your personal brand.
How else can I express myself? The way you dress, walk and talk are all ways you express your values. Are you smiling? Do your clothes fit well and represent your industry? (Note: There’s no need to blow your budget trying to look the part, but a little attention to your appearance can make a big difference to your personal brand.) Do you speak with confidence and kindness? These are all clues that help – or hurt – your personal brand.
Get feedback on your current personal brand
Invite your boss, trusted peers, and anyone else who knows you intimately to talk about your current personal brand. (Be prepared, because this process is a bit uncomfortable.) You will be pointed out to your weak points, but that’s okay. You will also learn what people like about you that you didn’t know.
The goal is to get a sense of how people perceive you, not to get them to judge your character. To do this, send a brief email that looks like this:
“I would like to know where I am at with my personal brand so that I can make some changes. I appreciate your input and I would like to hear your opinion on my strengths and weaknesses. I want to understand how you perceive me so to know where and how to improve.”
Here are some great questions to ask other people to start understanding your current personal brand at work.
- In your opinion, am I well liked in the office?
- Am I well coached in the areas I need to improve?
- Can you count on me to complete the work for which I am responsible?
- Do I adapt well to unexpected changes at work?
- Do you trust me to make the right decisions, even when no one is watching?
And when you receive feedback, say “Thank you very much”, and that’s it. Don’t defend yourself or explain why you are doing what you are doing.
It’s about learning how others perceive you, not defending your behavior. (It’s your job to create a safe conversation where people can respond honestly. Because, let’s face it, asking someone what they REALLY think can be awkward for everyone involved).
How to Create a Winning Personal Brand
Now that you have an idea of how others perceive you, it’s time to create a new vision for your winning personal brand. With a little more curiosity, you can discover essential character traits to emphasize in your new personal brand. Ask yourself the question:
- What do I do best?
- What are my beliefs? What am I defending?
- What results do I want to produce?
- What brings out my personality in my relationships and work?
These questions go a step further to help you figure out what really drives you and what you want to express to the world. (Remember, this is your personal brand, so answer what’s most true for you – not your parents, co-workers, or spouse).
How to share your personal brand with the world
All that work of creating a personal brand is for nothing if you don’t share it with the world. Here’s how to communicate what you’ve learned about your values, beliefs, strengths, and character to those around you.
- Be authentic. Whoever you are, be it. Don’t try to be something or someone you are not. If you try to imitate someone else, you rob the world (and yourself) of your unique talents, mission, and purpose.
- Take action. Put your values into practice. Start taking actions that align with who you want to be. Arrive at work a few minutes early (and don’t complain about it). Thank Sara from accounting when she compliments you on your new haircut. Give the waitress a big smile when she hands you a steaming double espresso. It’s those little interactions that add up over time.
- Show (and say) your brand. Don’t be obnoxious, but you want people to know what you stand for. Naturally introduce these facts about yourself, your values, and your skills into conversations over time. Put them into practice. Put your speech into practice. Do this and you will evolve your brand in a positive way.
- Continue to nurture and grow your brand. Do everything you can to live and work in excellence. Keep learning by reading books, taking classes, and listening to podcasts. Invest in your relationships with your peers and mentors. Take care of your health so you have the energy and enthusiasm to apply yourself in new ways. Developing your personality and personal brand is a journey of a lifetime, and this is just the beginning.
Change your influence and revenue with a trustworthy personal brand
For earn more money and giving more meaning to your work, you have to create a personal brand that people trust. You are curious about how you are perceived, both personally and professionally. This information provided in this article will help you gain valuable insights into what you do well and how you can improve your personal brand. Remember that it’s good to be open to honest and sincere feedback – you never know how much it can help you progress in your career!