Build Your Personal Brand

Everyone has a “personal brand”—you, me, and that new hire who sat right next to you at orientation who made all that nervous small-talk. Each of us are either building up our personal brand or letting it dissolve. So what is a personal brand anyway?

Let’s play a game to help elaborate. I will throw out a name, and then suggest their brand. See if you agree or disagree:

Steelers fans may vehemently disagree with me about Tom Brady’s brand categorization and Jimmy Kimmel watchers may say I have the wrong “Jimmy” on my list. I am not saying that personal brands are always agreed upon. However, over time, personal brands can and do form about someone that are generally accepted. Brands can be positive or negative, and they can rise and fall based on new discoveries. Who can forget Lance Armstrong, the champion professional road racing cyclist whose brand crashed upon the discovery of performance enhancing drug use?

How do you build your brand in business, especially when you are just starting? Building and managing your personal brand is fundamental for career success, and is especially vital in larger organizations where competition is stiff and it is more difficult to standout.

What are you most known for in your organization? Are you a good leader? A great speaker? An astute researcher? Highly organized? Are you always the go-to person on some new technology? An outstanding closer? Do people think of you when it comes to an industry sector? Your personal brand could be one or many traits. The important thing is to start focusing early on developing what you want to be known for.

How can you grow your brand?
What do you do if your brand takes a hit?
Can one rebuild his or her personal brand?

Listen to my podcast below to learn more about building your personal brand.

Miss any of the 5 Keys to Success that You Didn’t Learn in College?
1. Under promise. Over deliver.
2. Understand your company’s value chain. 
3. Develop your executive presence.
4. Build your personal brand.
5. Find a sponsor and know your role as a protégé.