Finding and amplifying your voice as a leader!

I recently created a poll on LinkedIn asking: What's the biggest leadership challenge you're facing right now? And 58% of you responded finding your voice as a leader. So, for the second edition of this newsletter, I thought we could address such an important leadership development goal.

To find your voice as a leader you need to understand some personal branding and reputation management principles that will assist you in creating and controlling your narrative as a leader.

The way you speak about yourself, introduce yourself, form relationships, and behave – online and in-person – shape your reputation. And your reputation is managed by how you promote your personal brand.

?Think about your personal brand as the way you communicate?

• who you are
• what you stand for
• and why others should find you relevant and valuable

?then you can see the importance of being intentional about your brand.

At the root of your personal brand should be a clear understanding of what you represent, believe in, and what you’d fight for. These are your values. You’ll need to ensure you confidently act in ways consistent with those values in order to earn credibility for them. This is how others will find you valuable for the beliefs and contributions you offer.

Our values and actions reinforce perception by driving others to see—and believe—who we are and what we hold dear. People are looking for evidence of your values and consistency in your actions to live them.

Become mindful about what you say in a conversation, what you text and email, and what you share online. Think before you post, before you DM, type a comment, or upload a picture. Ask yourself, "Is the way I’m speaking consistent with how I want to be known as a leader?"

To control your narrative means you are driving how, where, when, and why your story unfolds, and the perception that results from it.

Taking control of your story and driving influence requires a thoughtful and intentional personal brand and reputation management strategy. As an authority on both, I advise clients to:

1. Consider how you want to be perceived by the people and communities you serve. Every individual has needs (factual and emotional) and meeting those needs should be closely tied to how you want others to see you.
2. Reflect on how you’re seen today: What are the weaknesses and strengths of your current reputation? How do those equate to value in the minds of the individuals or communities you seek to influence, inspire and impact?
3. What is the story you want to tell? Narrative is, at its core, storytelling. But narrative must be anchored at all times in values and credibility. When values aren’t shown through actions, audiences become skeptical or critical. When values are expressed and demonstrated in behavior and action, they are trusted and the narrative gains credibility.

Controlling your narrative means you are thoughtful and strategic about how you speak about yourself and your value. You are consistent in how you present yourself (leadership presence) and the people you associate and build networks with. And controlling the narrative means that what I see online about you is consistent and authentic with how I experience you in person. Without consistency across all forms of interaction, the narrative falls apart.

With planning, authenticity, and consistency, narrative can be controlled and promoted to serve others and yourself in meaningful and significant ways.

Click here to learn more about how to "Control The Narrative."