One of new my coaching clients, Mike, a young manager in the finance industry with a prestigious MBA, was turned down for a promotion. When he asked his supervisor about the decision, his boss replied, “Because nobody knows you.”
What’s the Point of a Personal Brand?
To clearly differentiate your value and what you bring to the table.
February 17, 2022
Summary.
We often confuse our reputation as our personal brand. But that’s not true. Everyone has a reputation. The first impressions you make, the relationships you form with managers and peers, and how you communicate — all of these things impact how others see you. Your personal brand, on the other hand, is much more intentional. It is how you want people to see you.
- To start building your personal brand, figure out what drives you. What motivates you to get up in the morning and go to work? What skills are you curious about but have yet to build? What subjects pique your interest?
- Next, align your values to your organization’s goals. Say your organization regularly brings the most cutting-edge new products to market and values leaders who challenge the status quo and think outside the box. How do your current strengths align with the company’s goals? You see yourself as a creative person, who loves solving complex problems. Given that, you may decide on “innovator” as your key personal brand attribute.
- Just like in the commercial world, a brand has no value unless people are aware of it. To increase your visibility, create a stakeholder map. It could be a simple list of people you want to know or people who can help you progress at the organization or an intricate document that highlights how others might be able to advocate for you.
- Finally, reach out to the people you want to connect with. When you meet them, use the opportunity to highlight your skills and interests and how those competencies might benefit them and their work.
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New!
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.