We all have a brand, and we all deliver a brand performance each day. While it might not always be obvious, the truth is that everyone both projects a brand perception and responds to the brands around them. From the moment we walk into a room, we deliver a perception to those around us, and they in turn respond to our perception. The problem with these perceptions and performances is that we’re rarely conscious of them. What if you could understand your personal brand strategy, so that you could create and deliver a brand performance that built the perception you wanted?
Building a lead indicator mentality and strategy allows you to know where you want to direct your brand personality. People might think it involves being clinical, unauthentic and mechanical, but it’s really about tapping into what you truly want to deliver as a personal brand to the people you work with, the communities you live in, and the families you share your life with.
Asking yourself “Who do I want to be?” is the first step to developing a clear personal brand strategy, and being able to articulate your answer is even more important. Once you understand who it is you want to be, and can develop the ability to communicate this to others, this kick-starts your journey in realising that your personal brand has value, structure and a physicality that you can work at, refine and shape. These early stages of your branding journey involve taking your brand from vapour to value – taking things that are usually invisible, and giving them a form and shape to be delivered to and recognised by others.
Early on in BrandMe journeys people seem to feel that the process is quite self-centred and focused on simply talking about who you are and what you stand for. This puts many people off, because it initially seems quite egotistical. It’s important to realise that yes, in the process of building your personal brand you must start at a point of introspection, discovery, evolution, and the creation of strategies – but it’s not about standing on a soapbox and proclaiming loudly “this is my brand and this is what I stand for.” Personal branding revolves more around creating behaviours that will ultimately inspire others to recognise your brand’s qualities, because they are deeply embedded in what you do everyday, and how you do it.
Your personal brand isn’t merely what you say it is, it’s very much what others recognise and connect to in your personal brand performance. The more consistent and clear you are about who you want to be, the more you will act with clarity towards your ideal personal brand. In time, with consistent focus, integrity and delivery of your brand standard, others will recognise you as the brand you set out to be, and your investment in you will begin to pay great dividends.
