How do you refresh your leadership brand?

To discuss leadership brand, the concept of presence mustn't be overlooked. Presence extends beyond oneself; it encompasses the influence one has on the lives of others and the emotions they experience in one's company. While values and self-awareness form the bedrock of brand development, one must foremost contemplate the impact they aspire to create. Without this integral consideration, the journey toward a successful personal brand remains incomplete. Furthermore, it's important to acknowledge that each individual possesses a brand—willingly or not. The true distinction lies in the active cultivation and evolution of this brand (walking the talk), setting apart those who excel in this endeavor.

As a human, you have to know who you are and what you want before you can even build a brand. First, start by engaging with those who interact with your leadership regularly. Ask them for open honest feedback. You have to be comfortable with the good, bad, and ugly. Utilize empathy and open conversations to gauge how your leadership is perceived. This helps in understanding what is working and what needs to change. Remember, you brand is only as good as the people your surround yourself with.

I suspect many leaders have never given any thought to their "brand". When I work with people I like to start by helping them discover their deeply held values. That is the foundation for defining who you are. Then we work on checking goals, plans, aspirations and daily activities against those core values. If there is alignment, you there in defining your brand. If there are mismatches, that's where the work begins. Work to align what you do today with your values. That will redefine your brand.

Keeping my leadership brand up-to-date is a must for me. First, I check in on my current brand. What am I known for? Does it match where I am now? Then, I sharpen my message. I update my "elevator pitch" and figure out what sets me apart now. Next is getting the word out. Could be taking the lead on a new project or updating my LinkedIn profile. The last part is making sure it all lines up. My brand needs to be the same, whether it's in a board meeting or a tweet. Doing this has lots of upsides, like staying relevant. The tricky part is being authentic while also putting my best foot forward. "Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room." - Jeff Bezos Have a Positive, Productive and Safe Day!

When it comes to refreshing my leadership brand, I believe the first step is crucial: assessing how others perceive me. I actively seek feedback from colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to gain an honest understanding of my strengths and areas for growth. Utilizing tools like self-assessment surveys and 360-degree reviews further deepens my insight into my leadership style and behaviors. This step is essential in pinpointing any misalignments between my desired brand and the perception of others, allowing me to identify what truly distinguishes me as a leader.

One way to articulate your ideal leadership brand is to identify 3-4 leaders you admire (you can include both people you know and people you don’t).Then, write four descriptive words that describe the leadership style of each person. From that list of words, cull down further and identify the top four characteristics that you would most like to practice and embody. Use these four words as the compass for your brand and leadership style.

You must be able to clearly define the heart of your leadership, what values and visions you stand for. This is where you let your unique qualities shine, creating a brand that resonates with both your identity and the people you lead. My best piece of advice is this, “YOU BE YOU!” Don’t be ashamed or afraid, but you have to know who you are.

It can be difficult to articulate your leadership brand because we often approach it from the perspective of what we want to deliver. I've found that I can articulate my brand better when I think from the perspective of those I lead. Starting with what I want them to feel from me as a leader? What value I want them to see in my leadership? I then articulate my brand by sharing how I will deliver this.

Forge a unique personal brand on strong beliefs. These convictions shape leadership. 1. True Alignment: 1.1 Defined Values: Unwavering principles, even against norms. 1.2 Ethical Guide: Navigate ambiguity, lead ethically. 2. Core Principles: 2.1 Past Insights: Review reveals recurring values. 2.2 Key Values: Guide leadership, a North Star. 3. Expressing Unity: 3.1 Clear Voice: Articulate for team unity. 3.2 Organizational Sync: Align to prevent discord. 4. Consistent Integrity: 4.1 Daily Fusion: Infuse choices with beliefs. 4.2 Steadfast Path: Reflect for alignment. 5. Empowering Convictions: 5.1 Lead by Doing: Inspire through embodiment. 5.2 Cultivate Values: Clear beliefs, shared culture.

Shaping your desired leadership brand isn't just about articulating your vision—it's about aligning that vision with your actions and shared organizational values. Don't think of your brand merely as a static statement or pitch. Envision it as a living commitment, consistently reflected in your interactions and decision-making. This transforms your brand from a marketing tagline into a leadership philosophy that influences not only how you are perceived but also how you positively impact others. Take action: After crafting your leadership statement or manifesto, solicit feedback to ensure alignment with team values. Make it a dynamic part of team discussions to keep your brand alive and relevant.

I have a key principle I live by: Show, don't tell. Take action on your articulated values and make them visible. Share your leadership philosophy and mission with others. This amplification isn’t just about marketing; it’s about living and breathing your values and letting others see it. Make sure you walk your walk, and talk your talk!

Keep the 'words' right when sharing the posts and communication. Keep the 'tags' right when sharing on social media channels. Keep engaging your community for a better visibility across professional platform for a active communication

Amplifying my leadership brand's visibility is a strategic move to ensure my message reaches the right audience. By using channels like social media, webinars, and blogs, I can establish my presence internally and externally. Building a robust network, engaging with mentors, and providing value to others not only strengthens my brand but also fosters meaningful relationships. This step is crucial because it enhances my brand's reputation, widens my influence, and creates a lasting impression as a credible and impactful leader in the industry.

Increasing the visibility of your leadership brand isn't just a matter of volume—it's about resonance. Instead of simply broadcasting who you are, focus on creating meaningful interactions that reinforce your brand's value. Amplification comes not just from self-promotion but from the genuine contributions you make to dialogues and communities, both inside and outside your organization. It’s your authentic engagement in these spaces that turns your brand from a monologue into a community-endorsed narrative. Take action: Identify three places where your target audience spends time and engage there deeply rather than broadly. Become a go-to resource, not just a voice.

This is the most important step of all. Evaluate and align your actions with the brand you’ve articulated. Make It Easy For Me, a core principle in your experience design, applies here. Ensure your actions are consistent and transparent, enabling people to connect with your leadership brand effortlessly. What legacy do you want to leave?

Leadership bridges ideals with realities. 'Reality Unveiled' transforms words into deeds, crafting tangible impact. 1. Live Your Talk: Words echo in actions. Incongruence erodes trust. Let actions amplify speech. 2. Transparent Steps: Illuminate decisions' 'whys'. Clarity fuels alignment, fortifying unity amid wins & losses. 3. Lead by Example: Your actions set norms. Behave, guide; values embed. 4. Actuality Check: Reflect often. Shield alignment by nudging actions back to values. 5. Shared Ownership: Empower all for mutual accountability. Nurture self-governed alignment. 6. Cheers to Unity: Applaud those syncing speech with action. Celebrate integrity. 7. Team Trek: Lead collectively. Engage on values, unity, forging 'Reality Unveiled.'

Solidifying your leadership brand isn't just a one-and-done checklist; it's a perpetual exercise in intentional living. Your brand becomes credible not merely through the grand gestures but in the small, consistent actions that accumulate over time. It’s in the way you handle conflict, celebrate team wins, or even admit mistakes. These moments are your brand in action, a constant dialogue between your stated values and real-world behavior. Take action: Start a "brand journal" to note instances where you lived up to your brand and times you fell short. Review it monthly, and strategize ways to better align your actions with your brand values.

Refreshing my leadership brand is vital for staying relevant and effective. As the landscape evolves, so should my leadership style and impact. I evaluate where I stand, redefine my strengths, and update my vision to align with new challenges and goals. By articulating this refreshed brand, I communicate my value more effectively to my team and stakeholders. Amplifying it involves showcasing my unique skills and approach, ensuring my leadership resonates with those I lead. Finally, aligning my brand with my actions and decisions solidifies its authenticity and fosters trust among my team.

These steps intertwine the principles of knowing, valuing, and caring for the people you lead. They align with the authenticity and heart-centered leadership you embrace, fostering a strong, dynamic, and empathetic leadership brand. I will admit that it is not always easy, and there are many days I struggle, but I try to live it out everyday!

Brand recognition comes with consistency. You have to show up and provide some value, each time that you do. Repeating the same old, tired message, however consistent it may be with your brand, can result in prospective clients discounting what you have to bring to the table -- assuming you're a one-trick pony. That's why I provide fresh content 5X/week on social platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. By providing new spins and perspectives on leadership, my prospects come to recognize me as an expert that just might have something to add if asked to come in and solve a problem related to vision, culture, organizational design or leadership development (all topics that I address in my daily posts).

What works for me? B.R.A.N.D. framework. Beliefs: Understanding your core values and principles. Reality: Aligning actions and words, much like aligning investment with financial reality. Authenticity: Being true to oneself, a concept valued in both personal leadership and wise investing. Nurturing: Keeping commitments, like nurturing a long-term investment. Development: Continual growth and adaptation, as both markets and leaders must do to thrive. If you think about it, creating a leadership brand is a lot like investing in stocks. It requires careful consideration, continual nurturing, and authentic connection to values and principles. That's why the B.R.A.N.D. acronym fits so well with the task at hand.

Refreshing your leadership brand is an evolving process, not a static destination. It requires regular check-ins with yourself and your team. Remember, a brand is partly what you say about yourself, but largely what others say about you when you're not in the room. Therefore, keep pulse checks on how your brand is resonating. Use unstructured feedback, casual conversations, and unsolicited testimonials as additional indicators of how your brand is being perceived. Take action: Quarterly, ask for candid feedback from peers, direct reports, and superiors. Use this 360-degree view to tweak your brand strategy and to lean into your unique strengths and values as a leader.