What do you do if your personal brand isn't inspiring innovation in your organization?

1 Assess your current brand

The first step is to understand how you are currently perceived by your colleagues, managers, clients, and stakeholders. You can do this by soliciting feedback, conducting a self-audit, or using online tools like 360Reach or BrandYourself. Look for patterns, gaps, and inconsistencies in your brand attributes, such as your strengths, values, passions, style, and voice. Be honest and objective about your strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas where you need to improve or adjust.

2 Define your desired brand

The next step is to define how you want to be perceived as an innovator and a leader. What are the qualities, skills, and behaviors that you want to embody and communicate? How do you want to add value, solve problems, and create impact? How do you want to differentiate yourself from others in your field or industry? Write down a clear and concise statement that summarizes your desired brand, such as "I am a creative and collaborative leader who drives innovation and growth."

3 Align your brand with your organization

The third step is to align your brand with your organization's vision, mission, values, and culture. How does your brand support and enhance your organization's goals and objectives? How can you leverage your brand to contribute to your organization's innovation strategy and initiatives? How can you demonstrate your brand through your actions, projects, and interactions? Find ways to align your brand with your organization's needs and expectations, and communicate your value proposition effectively.

5 Adapt your brand to changing situations

The final step is to adapt your brand to changing situations and challenges. Innovation is not a static or linear process, but a dynamic and iterative one. You need to be flexible, agile, and resilient in the face of uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity. You need to be open to feedback, learning, and improvement. You need to be willing to experiment, fail, and pivot. You need to be proactive, curious, and courageous in pursuing new opportunities and solutions.

Your personal brand is not a fixed or permanent label, but a living and evolving expression of who you are and what you do. By following these steps, you can transform your brand from a hindrance to a catalyst for innovation and leadership in your organization.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?