Your Personal Brand
The Leadership Story You Tell Every Day
Whether you realize it or not, you already have a personal brand. It’s not just your title, resume, or what you say about yourself; it’s the story you tell through your presence, actions, and impact. It’s how people experience you when you walk into a room, the consistency (or inconsistency) in how you show up, and the trust you build (or don’t) with those around you.
Personal branding isn’t about self-promotion. It’s about authentic leadership, aligning who you are with how you show up and the value you bring to others. Jeff Bezos famously said, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” So, let’s ask: What do you want them to say?
Why Personal Branding Matters at Every Level of Leadership
Your personal brand shapes opportunities, relationships, and influence. Leaders with strong, authentic brands:
Attract the right opportunities, teams, and organizations that align with their values.
Create trust and credibility through consistency in their actions and decisions.
Inspire and influence others with clarity and confidence.
Stand out, not because they seek attention, but because they embody leadership with intention.
Personal branding isn’t just for CEOs or entrepreneurs. It’s for anyone who wants to lead with purpose, be recognized for their contributions, and shape their career trajectory.
The Three Pillars of a Strong Personal Brand
Clarity: Know who you are and what you stand for. What values drive your decisions? What impact do you want to make?
Consistency: Do your actions, words, and presence reinforce the leadership brand you want to build? Or are you unintentionally sending mixed signals?
Visibility: Leadership is not just about doing great work; it’s about making your work and your value known in a way that aligns with your vision.
How to Start Elevating Your Personal Brand Today
Audit Your Current Brand: Ask colleagues, mentors, or peers, “What three words would you use to describe me as a leader?” You may be surprised by the insights.
Craft Your Leadership Narrative: What’s the story you want to tell? If someone introduced you to a room full of decision-makers, how would you want them to describe your leadership?
Show Up with Intention: From meetings to LinkedIn posts, from hallway conversations to strategic decisions—how you show up daily shapes how you’re perceived.
Give More Than You Take: The most compelling brands are built through generosity—sharing insights, mentoring others, and contributing value before expecting anything in return.
Your Brand is an Evolution, Not a One-Time Fix
You don’t build a personal brand overnight. You become one through conscious, repeated action. Maya Angelou reminds us, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” How do people feel after interacting with you? Inspired? Empowered? Or uncertain and disengaged?
Your leadership brand is yours to define, refine, and own. Make it a reflection of your values, your purpose, and the impact you want to leave in the world.
Your Challenge This Week:
Choose one small action to elevate your personal brand:
Have a conversation with a mentor or trusted peer about your leadership presence.
Share an insight or perspective on LinkedIn that reflects your expertise and values.
Be intentional in one meeting; how do you want to show up and be remembered?
The world doesn’t need more leaders who blend in. It needs authentic, intentional, and willing leaders like you to step into the full power of their presence.
Invest in Your Leadership Journey
Leadership begins with intentionality and reflection. That’s why we designed the Leadership Journal, a powerful tool to help you cultivate your leadership mindset, set clear goals, and reflect on your growth daily. Invest in yourself and your team by creating a practice of mindful, purpose-driven leadership.
“When your why is clear, your how becomes easier.”
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Resources to Dive Deeper
Books:
"The Brand You 50" – Tom Peters
A classic on personal branding, this book breaks down how to stand out in your career and make your mark."Ditch Dare Do: 3D Personal Branding for Executives" – William Arruda & Deb Dib
A practical guide to developing an authentic personal brand that aligns with your leadership style."Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future" – Dorie Clark
A must-read for those looking to reshape their professional identity and strategically position themselves for new opportunities.
Podcasts:
"The GaryVee Audio Experience" – Gary Vaynerchuk
Insights on personal branding, digital presence, and how to leverage storytelling for influence."The School of Greatness" – Lewis Howes
Interviews with world-class leaders on personal growth, branding, and high-performance leadership."Coaching for Leaders" – Dave Stachowiak
Deep dives into executive presence, leadership influence, and building an authentic leadership style.
Other Resources:
Leadership Journal: Encourages daily reflection and intentionality.
Radical Candor
Radical Candor is a leadership guide that teaches the art of giving honest, constructive feedback while maintaining strong relationships. Kim Scott introduces a simple yet powerful framework for balancing caring personally with challenging directly, helping leaders create a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous growth.
Why Read It?
This book is a game-changer for leaders who struggle with tough conversations. It provides actionable insights on how to communicate with clarity, build high-performing teams, and foster a culture where feedback fuels success—without being overly aggressive or overly nice.
What to Expect
Expect real-world examples, practical strategies, and immediately applicable tools for improving communication, handling difficult conversations, and leading with both empathy and effectiveness. If you want to become a leader who inspires trust, drives performance, and encourages honest dialogue, Radical Candor is a must-read.
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"Be so good they can’t ignore you." – Steve Martin
