See Yourself

When it comes to our own personal brand, there is the perception we have of ourselves, the perception others have of us and the perception we think others have of us. I was having a disagreement with a friend about how he was thinking about a situation in which we were both involved. He finally said, “It’s who I am.” He was confident about his perception of self, and it profoundly changed the conversation.

In business we refer to the “Who I Am” as the core brand essence. If we can work to determine who we are, and be confident about the perception of ourselves, it will go a long way toward becoming aligned with a purposeful and happy life.

Here are a few tips on developing your own personal brand:

1. Core Brand – On a personal level, it becomes a matter of defining your personal skills, job skills, creative skills, favorite activities plus the things and people to whom you are strongly attracted to emotionally.
2. Audits – Schedule your own brand audit on a regular basis. Periodically review your core brand essence and measure it against your satisfaction index – working life, personal life, relationships and trends in the world around you.
3. Reinvent – Constantly think about what you need to do to reinvent yourself. As convinced as you are about who you are and where you are headed, chances are the world around you will change. Keep your core brand intact, but be prepared to make adjustments.
4. Respect – This is about the culture of respect that exists in your work and your personal life. Respect must go both ways within all of your key relationships – friend to friend, employee to employer, supervisor to employee. A culture of respect creates better relationships and increased self-esteem.
5. Sell – To put it very simply, branding is story telling. And so is selling. Every successful sales person I know is a good story teller. Learn how to tell your own story. Friends and co-workers need to hear your story, and the journey you have been on that defines your own personal brand. No one can tell it better than you.
6. Value – Value proposition is a crucial factor in brand development for companies and individuals alike. Be sure to value who you are, the work you do, your creative skills and the value you bring to all of your relationships.
7. Live – Live your brand. It is everything you stand for. Living your own brand will enhance it, and remember it takes practice. Don’t be sidetracked and try to live someone else’s brand. It causes brand amnesia, and you will forget who you are.
8. Explore – Take off on your own journey to find new ideas, opportunities and people. Be curious – take time to smell the flowers – which was the philosophy of a 1930’s professional golfer, Walter Hagen. He thought it was important to take the time to look around, to enjoy life. You should also take time to examine the flowers. You should look at the flower and learn how it is made and how the flower came to be.
9. Mentor – It’s not a good idea to go it alone, so you probably shouldn’t even try. Have several mentors. Join clubs and associations. Stay connected to your industry, and its thought leaders. Stay connected to friends both old and new. Make sure you are fussy about the wagon to which you choose to hook your star. Surround yourself with good people.