My Brand vs. Proverbs

As part of Nielsen's Diverse Leadership Network (DLN), I solicited feedback from 50 people (32 of whom responded) about how I am perceived, how I can improve my brand, and behaviors I should continue or stop. As part of my Leadership Program x2 journey, I am integrating the work I am doing in my corporate leadership program with the work I am doing in my Christian leadership program. Today, I am revealing the traits my colleagues say I have and seeing what the biblical proverbs, which provide guidance for godly living, say about those traits. We'll start with Proverbs 15:31.

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

I would like to be at home among the wise. So we'll start with the constructive criticism. I had some conflicting feedback, which helped me to understand that how I am perceived can be situational. Some people said I was confident, had a strong voice, am unintimidated, and even stern and relentless while others said I need to speak with greater conviction, take my seat at more tables, and put myself out there more assertively to showcase my expertise. Some people said I was an excellent presenter, while others commented that my presentation style could use little more "oomph". Apparently I am already very good at working with clients, but I am being encouraged to continue to get closer to the clients to understand their world and their needs more. I am already feeling a little wiser knowing these areas of improvement!

Now, for another dose of wisdom, we'll review how my career audience describes me or my "brand" as the program calls it. Precautionary Proverbs 11:2 quote, lest I get a big head:

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Each respondent was asked to provide three descriptors for me. Below are the resounding themes, and in summary: They like me, they really like me!

• Calm
• Confident
• Knowledgeable
• Thorough
• Helpful
• Positive

To quote Olaf, "all good things, all good things!" But let's see what Proverbs says about each of these qualities.

They say I'm calm, measured, reserved, composed. Proverbs 17:27 says:

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

This is fun. I'm getting wiser by the minute.

Next, they say I am confident, resolute, decisive, determined. Proverbs 3:26 says:

For the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

I truly feel a sense of peace when others are panicking. Not because I care any less about the "uh oh" of the moment or the consequences of said "uh oh", but I know that we as a company are built on a firm foundation, and if we stay grounded by way of that firm foundation, we will be okay.

Next, they say I am knowledgeable, inquisitive, intelligent, insightful. Note to self: Be sure to share this list with my husband. Proverbs 18:15 says:

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

They also say I am thorough, organized, consistent, accurate. Even before I knew that everything I do should be for the glory of God, I had a good work ethic. I learned this from my parents-- that's how they paid the bills-- and from being a customer service manager at Winn Dixie while still in my formative years. If you're going to do something, do it right. Well, back to Proverbs 3. Perhaps Proverbs 3 sums up my entire brand! Proverbs 3:27 says:

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them.

You can call me a people pleaser, but I like to be helpful. And if I can't help, I help them by finding someone who can. Which leads me to the next descriptor my career audience had for me: helpful, dependable, collaborative, attentive. Proverbs 11:25 says:

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Lastly, they say that I am positive, empathetic, approachable, amiable. I really do find joy even in chaos. I'm going to be the one smiling not because I am na?ve, but because it doesn't help to frown. Proverbs 17:22 says:

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.

I am delighted to see that how I am perceived by my colleagues is aligned with the guidance for godly living that we get from the biblical proverbs. My successes are not my own and the gifts I have which have led people to say such nice things about me come only from God. I will end with, you guessed it, Proverbs 3:5-6, which says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

And, of course, as wise as I may feel as a result of this exercise, Proverbs 3:7 reminds me:

Don't be impressed with your own wisdom.

Message received, God, and thank you.