How do you know if your personal brand is helping your career?

Assessing your visibility is crucial, but it's equally essential to consider the depth of your impact. While having a widespread presence is valuable, focusing on meaningful engagement and authentic connections can be more impactful than sheer visibility. It's not just about being seen; it's about making a difference. So, alongside measuring your reach, pay attention to the depth of your relationships, the value you provide, and the impact you create within your industry or community. Quality often surpasses quantity when it comes to personal branding.

If we tried to simplify the definition of Brand and if we agreed that Brand is a broad set of all information, emotions, impressions that we have consciously or unconsciously collected in various situations about a product, service and now also people, then we would certainly conclude that this visibility is very important but not the only one and not crucial for success in building a personal brand. Depending on which professional category you belong to and in which business environment you work or want to work, some elements of building a personal brand are more important than others.

While tracking your reputation is essential, remember that not all feedback is equally valuable. Instead of seeking universal approval, consider that a strong personal brand can sometimes polarize opinions. Some may strongly resonate with your values and perspectives, while others may not. It's important to focus on maintaining authenticity and integrity in your actions and communication. A brand that tries to please everyone can end up diluted and less effective. So, embrace constructive criticism, stay true to your values, and let your personal brand naturally attract those who align with your authentic self.

Regardless of the business environment in which you want to build your career, it is certain that results, references are a very important pillar (the first pillar) for building a personal Brand. In the professional world, it is not difficult to find out if the teams you played on, had winning results and if you were an important player on that team. Communication (the second pillar) should enable your good visibility. The media through which you want to communicate, the way and content of communication, the quantity and frequency are tools that are very important for the successful positioning of your personal brand, but if they are used incorrectly, they can contribute to the erosion of your personal brand.

Does your personal brand take into consideration the value of social impact work and through-leadership as your industry continues to evolve?

It's essential to remember that personal brands can evolve over time, just as your career goals and interests do. Be open to periodically reviewing and adjusting your personal brand to ensure it remains aligned with your professional journey. Flexibility and adaptability in shaping your personal brand can help you seize new opportunities and navigate career changes more effectively. Remember, your personal brand is a dynamic reflection of who you are and what you bring to the table, so let it grow with you.

Your behavior (the third pillar) is the most difficult to control and manage. We are all born with certain personal characteristics, and upbringing has a great influence on our behavior. In all personal contacts, our behavior will take precedence over other elements of building a personal brand. Getting to know yourself, monitoring and analyzing your behavior in various situations can contribute to partially adapting it to the desired image of your personal brand. However, you have to take care that you can't play the card of fake behaviour, because people can easily recognise it and it destroys your personal brand. Appearance (fourth pilar), I would call it design or personal style, must be in accordance with the desired image.

I am sure that one of the most difficult goals in the development of a personal brand is synergy with the industry, which has experienced development and results thanks to your knowledge and work. However, this is not enough because in order to maintain your personal brand at a high level, you have to manage your communication, behavior and styling very carefully.

Your personal brand should be a living entity that evolves alongside your career. Embrace change, learn from experiences, and use your personal brand as a tool for continuous growth. By staying adaptable and receptive to new opportunities and challenges, you can leverage your personal brand to its fullest potential. Keep nurturing it, and it will serve as a valuable asset throughout your professional journey.

If a brand is what people feel about a product, service, or business, then a personal brand is what people feel about you. To truly be a brand, there must be intention, or else it simply becomes your reputation. This intention needs to align with your actions, which in turn should be consistent with your purpose, values, and personality. Everything you say, produce, and create shapes your personal brand, making your distinctiveness palpable. The authenticity of your personal brand may make you more vulnerable, but it's a conscious choice. You dictate who you are and decide who you aspire to be.

An important prerequisite to fully understanding this topic is answering what we mean by 'Personal Branding' in the first place. In its simplest terms, 'brand' is what you want others to say about you. Once you have an idea of what that looks like, everything will flow and fall into place. Because then, you now know what kind of content you should be making, your voice when talking to your audience, and strategies to achieve whatever's 'on brand'.