2 Questions Everyone Is Asking ABout You

Recently, I had an intriguing conversation with a senior leader about image. Her take on the subject was clear: I don’t feel comfortable with people who are too polished. As described to me, they are almost flawless in the way they walk, speak, and dress. I was curious about where this assessment was coming from, so I asked: Is it them? Or is it you?

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Without hesitation, she admitted that it was her and that it was based on past experiences with people who present “that way.” Our conversation was a reminder that in the branding process, it’s crucial to accept that you won’t be able to reach everyone—and to be okay with that. At times, it can be a painstaking disappointment, especially if it’s someone you desire to partner with, but people’s reactions to you are shaped by their personal experiences, beliefs, and values, which influence their likes and dislikes. These attitudes form the foundation of how people perceive and engage with you. To increase your influence and remain authentic to who you decide to be, communicate clearly who you are but also understand that each person you interact with comes into the space with their attitude as you come with yours. Put simply, attitude is a person’s likes and dislikes. It’s shaped by beliefs, triggers, and pain points. The importance of this is that attitude determines who you influence and how, and vice versa.

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During my personal brand development workshops, I encourage people to ask themselves these two questions that I believe everyone is asking themselves about you: 1. How much are you worth to me? 2. How much are you going to cost me? Let’s break these down. When you reach out to someone, and they don’t respond, it often means they don’t see enough value in responding to you. It’s not personal—they simply don’t perceive your message as valuable to them at that moment. Be okay with that because people’s needs change, and not everyone is a member of your audience.

The second question is equally important: This isn’t just about financial cost; it’s about time, energy, and risk. People are constantly weighing the potential risks of engaging with you. What will they gain from this relationship or interaction, and what might they have to give up? Will it be worth their investment? Understanding these questions can help you become more intentional about how you present yourself and the value you bring to others. Be Clear About Your Value One of the biggest challenges many professionals face is explaining their value clearly and concisely. I once spoke with a Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) who took five minutes to explain what she did. That’s way too long. If you can’t communicate your value in under 15 seconds, you risk losing your audience’s attention. Here are questions for crafting a clear, concise value prop: ?

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·????? State the outcome of your work. What do you do for a person or organization?

·????? State what the person or organization can do. Who or what happens to the person or within the organization because of the outcome of your work? ?

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Here’s my introduction:?

I help leaders become more likable, marketable, and credible, increasing their impact, influence, and income.

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I communicate what I do in this way when asked, “What do you do?” so that people know immediately who I work with, the outcome of working with me, and the result that they can expect from continued engagement. This entices them to want to learn more if what I do speaks to them.

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Copyright ? 2024 by S. Renee Smith

S. Renee Smith helps leaders become more likable, marketable, and credible, increasing their impact, influence, and income. She supports individuals and businesses. Click the link to about my online development program, UnBottle Your Genie: Design Your Brand Action Plan.

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