What do you do if your personal brand authenticity clashes with professional expectations?

Finding a balance between personal brand authenticity and professional expectations can be a challenging task. However, it's important to remember that authenticity is a crucial aspect of building a strong personal brand. By staying true to yourself and staying professional, you'll be able to navigate potential conflicts and ultimately create a brand that represents your values and goals. It may require some commitment and adaptation, but staying true to your authentic self will ultimately lead to success in both your personal and professional life. Remember, your personal brand reflects who you are, so let the authenticity shine through.

In my journey as a Self-Love Maestro and Personal Branding Strategist, I've learned the importance of assessing the ripple effect of my personal brand in the professional realm. It's about asking, 'How does my authenticity shape my career?' Research by LinkedIn shows that 80% of professionals believe personal branding is key to career opportunities. It's a reminder that the impact of our personal brand is profound and far-reaching.

When you're exploring or building your personal brand, your experience can be different when you are employed somewhere, vs when you have your own practice. If you're employed, it's worth reflecting if your authentic representation is in line with workplace expectations, or if they clash. Is there a middle ground? If there isn't, consider aiming for organizations whose values have common ground with yours as much as you are expected to match theirs. If you have a personal practice, your personal brand shapes your practice. Your challenge then is to uphold your values and NOT deviate from them - because it's not just a professional expectation, it's a characteristic of the experience of working with you! Authenticity underlies everything.

If my personal brand authenticity clashes with professional expectations, it's crucial for me to navigate this delicate balance with care and consideration. I begin by introspecting, identifying the areas of discordance, and understanding the underlying reasons for these conflicts. Then, I strive to find ways to uphold my authenticity while still meeting the standards expected of me in my professional capacity. This might entail seeking common ground between my personal values and the demands of my profession, engaging in transparent communication with stakeholders about my approach, and seizing opportunities to integrate aspects of my brand into my professional identity in a manner that enriches rather than compromises my credibility.

Balancing who you really are with clients' expectations can be tough. When your values are different from your client, this will eventually make you miserable. Your work performance will suffer. In my experience, it ends in a loose-loose situation. So when you don't need the client to make a living, hold on till another client comes along. Being real is key to a great personal brand. If you stay true to yourself and professional, you'll handle any issues and make a brand that shows what you care about and aim for. You'll stand out for who you are.

After aligning your values, another simple yet powerful way to communicate your personal brand, is through dressing and behaviour. Explore how simple tweaks to your wardrobe can add to your brand.

Aligning my personal and professional values has been a cornerstone of my practice. I believe in the power of authenticity, a sentiment echoed by Brene Brown when she says, 'Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.' In the corporate world, this alignment can foster an environment of trust and integrity, essential for any thriving professional.

Can you find common ground? Look for core values that underpin both your personal brand and your professional role. For example: An engineer passionate about sustainability can highlight "building a greener future" on their personal brand, and focus on that value when discussing their work on energy-efficient products.

If your true self clashes with what's expected at work: -Figure Out the Conflict: Understand where the clash is happening and why. -Find Common Ground: Look for things that match both your real self and work expectations. -Be Honest: Talk openly about who you are and what you believe in, at work and outside. -Compromise if Needed: See if there's a way to meet both your true self and what's expected at work halfway. -Teach Others: Show why being yourself is important and how it can be good for work too. -Think About Fit: If the clash keeps happening, think about if this job is right for you or if there's a better fit elsewhere.

We need to find a balance between professional and personal branding. Showing your true self and sharing value is what personal branding all about. You need to focus on being professional as well as sharing relatable stories with your audience.

Clarity in communication has been my compass. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it. As I guide others to build their personal brands, I stress the importance of clear, authentic communication. Harvard Business Review highlights that effective communication boosts team performance by up to 25%. This statistic reinforces my belief in the power of clear articulation of one's personal brand.

Sometimes, a simple conversation can bridge the gap. Talk to your manager about your personal brand and how it can benefit the company. For example: A gamer with a large Twitch following could leverage their online presence to promote the company's new gaming product.

I usually say communication is key and would likely destroy every misunderstanding. Your personal brand is what makes you unique and sometimes employers employ people based on the name they've made for themselves. Have a heart to heart conversation and make them understand what values your brand can bring to the organization and see how you can blend your brand with that of the organization to achieve a common goal. Remember with results comes validation

A winning personal brand thrives on the integration of a well-defined profile that resonates with its audience and the flexibility to evolve and adapt to changing environmental demands. This adaptability enables the brand to navigate diverse contexts and maintain relevance, ultimately fostering lasting connections and long-term success.

Flexibility without compromise is my mantra! Adapting your personal brand to fit professional settings doesn't mean losing your essence. It's about strategic adjustments. Forbes notes that adaptability is a top skill sought by employers. This insight inspires me to adapt while staying true to my core, ensuring my personal brand remains relevant and respected.

In the ever changing times, the institutions will not adapt as per your values. An individual will have to adapt to the institutional expectations. The clarity of how much are you willing to sway, or the minimum common ground you need to stay aligned is what you need to assess and be aware of at all times

Finding balance is the deal. You shouldn't compromise on your authenticity to match the professional expectations. This way your personal brand will go for a toss. And you should not even stick only to authenticity and not bother about professional expectations. The right way is to balance between both. Mould your personal brand a little towards professional side while keeping a touch of authenticity.

Finding the equilibrium between my personal authenticity and professional expectations is an ongoing journey. Balance is key. The American Psychological Association suggests that work-life balance significantly reduces stress and enhances job satisfaction. This principle guides me to harmonize my personal brand with my professional life, fostering well-being and success.

Seeking balance in life is a continuous process, and here are three ways to help you find that equilibrium: Prioritize Your Time: Identify what’s most important to you and allocate time accordingly. It’s essential to set boundaries and say no to tasks that don’t align with your priorities. Make Compromises: Balance often requires trade-offs. You might not be able to do everything you want, so it’s crucial to compromise and focus on what brings you the most fulfillment. Stay Optimistic: Maintain a positive outlook even when things don’t go as planned. Optimism can help you adapt and find joy in the journey, not just the destination. Remember, balance is not a final goal but a dynamic state of being that requires ongoing adjustments.

Create compartments. You can express yourself freely on personal social media accounts while maintaining professionalism on work-related platforms like LinkedIn. For example: A chef who loves posting quirky food creations on Instagram can curate a more professional LinkedIn profile showcasing their culinary qualifications and experience.

What happened to “being yourself”? On social media, it is so easy to: 1. Fake it til you make it 2. Put up a fake persona 3. Run with it (if it works) But you can only do it so much. After a while… 1. Authenticity will be a “need” 2. You’ll start to hate your brand 3. People will be able to tell. 100%! “Be yourself” is the easiest thing ever. We just overcomplicate it. ;)

Start by defining your core values and beliefs that form the foundation of your personal brand. Then, align these with the key expectations and standards of your industry or profession. Focus on highlighting aspects of your authentic self that are relevant and valuable to your professional goals while respecting industry norms and expectations. This involves striking a balance between staying true to yourself and adapting to professional contexts without compromising your integrity. Communicate transparently about your values, strengths, and unique perspectives, showcasing how they complement and enhance your professional contributions. This approach fosters authenticity while meeting professional expectations effectively.

What happens when being yourself is sabotaging your professionalism. You keep being you. Keep showing your values and beliefs until people know you for that. Until you use that as your edge in the market. Because people still remember how you make them feel better than what you do for them.

Leave a disclaimer ?? Theres a standard template for it too! I'm sure you've seen them. Usually printed along with articles in certain magazines. The authors views may or may not necessarily agree with the institution. Yada yada yada.

What even are ‘professional expectations’? They are a social construct many of us have bought into. It is limiting and often doesn’t serve us. Showing up authentically is a beautiful thing and creates a point of difference. If people/your workplace are judging you for this, then that is a sign to surround yourself with different people/find a new workplace. It is important to place more weight on your expectations, beliefs and values than to listen to those of others. This requires questioning the beliefs you hold and examining if they are even yours. Show up professionally (or don’t), whatever that means to you.