How do you promote your leadership brand?

Absolutely, understanding your own leadership brand is crucial. It's not just about the skills and strengths you bring to the table, but also the values, principles, and vision that drive your decisions and actions. A well-defined leadership brand is essential for guiding your interactions and shaping perceptions. Utilizing tools like personal SWOT analysis, feedback surveys, or leadership assessments is a smart way to gain insights into your own leadership style and its impact. Additionally, reflecting on the legacy you wish to leave behind is a powerful exercise that helps in aligning your actions with your long-term goals.

In addition to a personal SWOT analysis, the CliftonStrength Finders assessment by Gallup is a great starting point and can help you define your strengths. During this 30-minute assessment, you'll see 177 paired statements and choose which one best describes you. It measures your unique talents -- your natural patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving -- and categorizes them into the 34 CliftonStrengths themes. These themes can be used to help identify your leadership style and your values.

Self-awareness is pivotal to successfully project your leadership brand. Reflecting on one's unique qualities, the impact made, and the values and principles that guide one is essential. Utilizing tools like personal SWOT analysis, feedback surveys, and leadership assessments can provide valuable insights. Additionally, contemplating the legacy one wishes to leave behind is a powerful way to clarify one’s leadership brand. This is not only about the 'here and now,' but also about the enduring impression one wants to imprint. Hence, understanding one's leadership brand is foundational for one’s journey in leadership.

Sempre digo sobre como construo rela??es com liderados na base da transparência. Assim vamos longe e conseguimos criar uma rela??o de confian?a. Mas, como criar transparência, confian?a, sem proximidade? Se fazer presente na vida dos liderados é um desafio diante de uma rotina atribulada, cheia de tarefas e reuni?es. Fa?a isso se tornar uma prioridade sua!

Testing… you have a unique value proposition that sets you apart from others in your field. Your leadership brand is the reputation you create and the impression you make based on your skills, strengths, values, and vision.

When leaders have a brand, their actions must be aligned to that. We have to be consistent so that our teams can see us leading the way. We cannot say this is our brand and then carry out the work in a totally different manner. There are far too many fake leaders as it is.

It's indeed pivotal to align actions with one's leadership brand consistently. This alignment is not a one-time task but a continuous effort that requires self-awareness and self-discipline. Demonstrating brand attributes in all aspects of leadership, from communication and delegation to problem-solving and conflict resolution, is crucial. Celebrating successes and learning from failures are also important aspects of demonstrating authenticity, credibility, and trustworthiness. Ultimately, your leadership brand is not just a reflection of your beliefs and values, but it is also shaped by the perceptions of others. Hence, it is of utmost importance to ‘walk the talk’ and manage these perceptions effectively.

Understand that your personal brand is the sum of your personality, skills, experience and values, with a solid reputation that people know and trust. This further articulates the benefits and awareness it can bring to businesses and communicate with the target audience in a way that resonates. Consistently presenting and expressing your brand presence reinforces the message and helps you build trust and credibility with the people you intend to influence and change. Strong personal brands are constant—always visible and available to their audiences.

Elevate your leadership presence by amplifying the distinct qualities of your leadership style through your daily actions. This is the fun part I think. Consistently embody the attributes of your brand in every interaction, whether it's communication, delegation, problem-solving, or conflict resolution. Celebrate successes and gracefully learn from failures. Show your authenticity, credibility, and trustworthiness as a leader. It's about walking the talk, for sure! – ensuring every step reflects the core of your leadership identity. This alignment between your actions and your brand is what truly distinguishes a leader who stands out. Love to hear your feedback on this also -N

Think of your brand as an output of your what/why/how - obsess over these inputs and how you are demonstrating these and your brand will emerge accordingly.

Showcasing your brand value resembles promoting your products and services, with a special focus on human aspects and relationships. Focusing on the tangible benefits and outcomes you bring to your team, clients, and network is crucial. Highlighting how your leadership facilitates goal achievement and problem-solving creates a lasting impact. Utilizing stories, testimonials, and case studies effectively demonstrates the real-world value you provide.

It goes without saying that what you "like", repost, post, and write in comments on LinkedIn is a very easy and visible way to showcase your brand value. Therefore, each action you take on LinkedIn and other social media needs to be well considered. It is tempting to "like" everything that your friends post; but ultimately, these actions do reflect on your brand as well.

I believe in continuously building advocates and followers and nurturing those relationships with constant knowledge sharing and value giving, which will in turn make them expand your personal brand further.Let others share your story further.

Quentin Tarantino once said, "I steal from every movie ever made." Just as Tarantino draws inspiration from various films, promoting your leadership brand involves showcasing its value to your audience. It's not just about highlighting the features and processes, but emphasizing the benefits and results of your leadership. Show how your leadership positively impacts your team, clients, peers, or network in achieving their goals and overcoming challenges. Share compelling stories, testimonials, case studies, or achievements that exemplify the value your brand brings. By doing so, you captivate and engage others, leaving a lasting impression of your leadership brand.

Look for opportunities to be an industry thought leader. This can be done through writing (Publications in industry associations and via social media) as well as public speaking (traditional media, conferences and events). Consider teaching or giving back to your industry/college/university as a facilitator or instructor in your subject of expertise. Don’t keep it to yourself and think it will be noticed by others. Think strategically about who needs to know about your brand.

One invaluable strategy I share with my executive clients for enhancing their personal brands is the concept of a "Personal Board of Directors." This entails cultivating connections with individuals spanning diverse seniority levels, industries, and organizations. By establishing these relationships, you create a resourceful network to turn to whenever you encounter career challenges, pivotal decisions, or promising opportunities. The process entails fostering ongoing connections that not only offer insights into refining your personal brand, but also provide guidance to navigate your professional journey.

Building a brand network is a key aspect of promoting one's leadership brand. It's important to connect with individuals who share similar visions, values, and interests and can support, endorse, or refer you as a leader. Attending events, joining communities, participating in forums, and creating content are all effective ways to showcase your thought leadership and expand your network. Additionally, maintaining existing relationships is equally important. Providing value, feedback, recognition, or referrals helps in strengthening relationships within your network. Ultimately, a strong brand network is not just about the quantity of connections, but the quality of relationships maintained.

Expanding your brand network is essential. Attending events, engaging in online communities, and offering value to your network solidify your position as a thought leader while nurturing relationships and creating a mutually supportive ecosystem. Connecting with like-minded individuals who align with your vision and values enhances your leadership brand's credibility.

As Richard Edelman once said, "Trust is at the core of all meaningful relationships." When promoting your leadership brand, building a strong brand network is paramount. Connect with individuals who align with your vision, values, and interests, and who can endorse and refer you as a leader. Attend events, join communities, and participate in forums to expand your network. Showcase your thought leadership through compelling content. Nurture existing relationships by providing value, feedback, recognition, and referrals. By fostering trust and meaningful connections, you cultivate a powerful network that amplifies your leadership brand and opens doors to new opportunities.

I have always very strongly believed in the power of networking and it has come in with very evident rewards at all times. As a leader you need to be accepted and endorsed at maximum levels possible, and alliances, acquaintances and communities are the way to make that happen. I always attempt that building my network and adding value to them with my expertise , connects and capabilities. Networking is not a one-way journey, it works both ways.

I believe being open to evolving yourself is crucial for personal branding. A personal brand is a lifelong project that constantly evolves and changes. Seeking opinions from colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals can help individuals identify areas to pivot their personal brand. I would like to give my own example here, while I was frequently talking on marketing, slowly with time as an initiative of my network members and my own passion for social causes, I started getting speaking opportunities related to women empowerment and girl child education and now my personal brand message is not just that of a marketing guru but also an inspiring icon on gender equality and global good.

Actually I would want to maybe rephrase a bit. At the core, there are certain things which define your leadership style. Those cannot be changed or adapted. However, at the level of serving, one needs to adapt as per the audience and that is where the magic lies where you keep your core values and style intact but still adapt as per the situation and your target audience.

Actually, I disagree. An effective brand should both attract its target audience and repel those outside of it. Continuously adapting your leadership brand to different contexts risks losing its authenticity and consistency. Leadership brands thrive on trust and credibility; shifting the message too often can confuse stakeholders and weaken your brand's credibility. I teach my executive clients that they must be clear about what they stand for and what they stand against. Adapting your message will dilute the strength of your leadership brand and may even come across as opportunistic, undermining the very trust and credibility you seek to establish.

David Bowie once said, "I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring." Similarly, when promoting your leadership brand, be open and ready to changes. Customize your brand message to suit diverse situations and audiences. Tailor your communication style, tone, language, and medium to match the context and purpose of your message. Consider the needs, wants, and expectations of your audience, addressing their pain points, motivations, and aspirations. Utilize various channels and platforms to effectively reach and engage your audience. By embracing adaptability, you bring excitement, relevance, and impact to your leadership brand, ensuring it resonates with those you seek to inspire and influence.

Your leadership should be consistent but that does not mean you cannot tailor your message and benefit for a specific person or group. Make sure you highlight what you're good at or what you can solve in a matter that benefits your customer or followers the most.

Cultivate Relationships and Networks: Build strong relationships with colleagues across the organization , don’t limit yourself to your vertical or department , connect with peers, and industry influencers inside and outside. Actively engage in networking activities and seek opportunities to collaborate with others on initiatives imp for organization to set similar expectations from your team when you expect them to perform beyond the KRA’s that meet expectation. Leverage your connections to expand your influence and create new opportunities. Promoting your leadership brand is an ongoing process. Consistency, authenticity, and a commitment to personal growth are key to establishing and maintaining a strong leadership reputation.

When cultivating a robust leadership brand, it's crucial to recognize that effective leadership is not in a fixed state. Many leaders shape their brand based on their own experiences and successes, which is essential. However, a truly dynamic leadership brand is one that invites other perspectives into the conversation. When you share your own hard-earned insights while being genuinely willing to consider that someone else might have approached a similar challenge more effectively, you're not just a leader but a learner. This mindset elevates your leadership brand from being a singular vision to a collective wisdom, making it more resonant, relatable, and impactful.

Building brand equity is crucial when it comes to brands, whether they are leadership brands or consumer brands. What components are used? 1. Recognition / Awareness - Are you recognised by others as a leader? 2. Association: With whom or what do you equate leadership? 3. The media can be used to raise performance awareness... Associations are possible. Results, though, are what matter most. Performance is the most important factor if you are a leader. 4. Loyalty – when you perform, you attract a group of people who are loyal to you. People around you have a tendency to talk about you more when you do well as a leader, so this is natural. However, this is the time when being a great leader requires humility. Good to great leader …

I often share these two quotes with my clients who sometimes feel that because they don't have a leadership title at work, they are not leaders: “Lead from where you are. No one has to tap you on the shoulder and anoint you a leader. Leadership is noticing the gap and stepping in to do something about it.” ~Daisy Wright “The boldest thing you can do is to stand up, look into the mirror and tell yourself you are a leader.” ~Daisy Wright In addition, I remind them that there are people who have no job description who are amazing leaders and there are those who have big titles and they're not accomplishing as much as they have accomplished. You will elevate your leadership brand when you consistently show up as your authentic self.

Is key to understand that you don't need a title to promote yourself as leader. Many people tend to directly link the fact that you aren't supposed to promote your personal leadership brand if you don't hold a title that states a leadership position. I disagree. Being a leader is a mindset and a set of skills, both soft and hard skills, that can coexist separated from a title. If you are constantly striving to become better, to help those around you and support them to grow, if you posses integrity, are a problem solver by nature, find creative and innovative ways to perform better. You can confidently make decisions plus many other traits of a good leader, then you should promote yourself as one even if you don't have a title.