Is It Quintessentially British Though?

In the build up to International Women's Day, on the 8th March, I've started to question the concept of personal branding as mine becomes more prevalent in my inbox. There's lots of lovely requests for my story and to be put out there as an inspirational woman. Something I usually shy away from as my job is to make other people famous, not me. But as I embrace the concept of change and actually respond to these lovely requests, I've been left wondering if it is quintessentially British to be so extroverted?

The British are well known for our subtle successes. Typically, we're not one's for shouting about our achievements or even acknowledging them in a public setting. Let alone being overtly helpful, through risk of being seen as a know it all, even when we do. We don't really greet people in shops, beyond an awkward hello and a 'thanks, bye' that we long for as soon as we make eye contact with the shop assistant.

But there's a new wave of British coming through in recent years. Entrepreneurs have adopted the American ways of showboating their success, whilst still retaining the quintessentially British tone that understates the achievements behind them.

The most noticeable are those that are in keeping with tradition and receive more respect for it. Whilst they're less inclined to use gaslighting sales methods that are simply forcing people into feeling inadequate and be bullied into buying their services or product. They are happily talking about their feelings, their journey, their purpose and it's truly inspirational to read.

Whereas the more extroverted are inclined to bombard us with meaningless quotes such as 'change only happens when you do', or 'we all have the same 24 hours in a day'. Coupled with heavily discounted six step plans and aggressive sales tactics behind them.

It's obvious which one's will stand the test of time.

When it comes to being a woman in this area of personal brands, it feels even more tricky to navigate a successful personal story into a relatable and respected brand. We have the added complications of social judgements, stereotypical expectations and limitations.

When I think about my story, I feel a wave of these judgements hit me before I've spoken a word.

I'm a working class single parent, founder of a talent agency and PR and marketing consultancy that specialises in the entertainment, business and podcasting. I've been in this career for over a decade and have been to some amazing places and had some incredible achievements. But my personal life and business accomplishments are not usually paired together.

When you think working class single parent, there's a whole load of stereotypes that offer nothing but restrictions and barriers to break through.

"How does she manage to work in entertainment with two kids? She can't be looking after them properly". In truth it's a constant juggle, it always has been. I couldn't do it without the support of my parents, or the understanding of my clients when I have to take my two boys with me. Which of course means they have had some incredible experiences. Like the time my youngest sat at my feet, with his hands over his ears, whilst I managed a press board full of footballers and celebs and my eldest jumping in for selfies as they left the board. Or the occasions they've come into a pit at a gig and had the closest view in the venue to whichever star was performing, there's been many over the years.

But some people don't see that as an achievement. A woman building a career is still seen as selfish by a lot of people. God forbid she's not from the same level of class. Or even worse, she's from a northern council estate!

I'd love to say this comes from my own personal insecurities and imposter syndrome, but recent press about Jacinda Arden resigning, with the BBC asking 'Can Women Have It All?", is all the proof I need. Whilst women are supposed to be celebrated, we still face that level of judgement and scrutiny.

More introverts, like me, need to find their voices and use them.

I decided recently that in order to dispel the myths and stereotypes around my story, I need to start talking about it publicly. When people find out how I got into this career, they are usually taken aback by everything I've overcome to get here. Whereas I see it as nothing other than my normal everyday life and cracking on with a job I love.

But it's how your story impacts others that's important.

After a recent post I did on Harry Styles' comment about working class 'people like me don't get awards like this' my inbox flooded with people from the same background as me. They were feeling the same insecurities, the same out of place, wrong class, imposter syndrome symptoms that I have felt. They reached out to thank me for voicing how they were feeling and that my post resonated with them and inspired them to keep going.

It felt especially important when I spoke to a few women, who reacted to my post, about how they feel the same social pressures of being a woman in industry and the out dated stereotyped judgements we still face. When they found out I'm a single parent in this job, they were delighted to know our careers don't end with kids and its actually possible to make it work and 'have it all'.

That whole experience felt amazing. For the first time ever I didn't feel like I was breaking tradition from the quintessentially British rules I've been internally governed by. I wasn't show boating. There wasn't a meaningless quote in sight. I shared my story and people responded well to it.

In reality I am the brand, where my company is concerned. It's literally named after me, Carla Speight & Co. The name was simply because previous clients said I should do that as they only google my name anyway so it would make things quicker. They're right. As much as my typically British social awkwardness winces at the idea.

So if like me you've felt the awkwardness around developing a personal brand. Follows these simple rules:

• Only talk about what you're comfortable talking about - That way you don't worry about responses and you will come across as confident.
• Show us who you are - If you normally drop in the odd swear word during verbal conversation, do it when it feels right in your posts. If you get geeky about your job show us. If you have a wicked sense of humour, make us laugh. Whatever feels right for you, just do it because when we pretend to be something we're not, the fear of being found out creeps in and kills your creative vibe.
• Talk about topics that you can expertly comment on - I'm no singer, but I could comment on Harry Styles' reference to 'people like us'. I'm not Super Nanny or Mary Poppins, but I can talk about the work life juggle a parent struggles with. I'm a comms and PR expert so I can talk about PR disasters and wins. I can talk about celeb culture, politics, the latest reality show. Also I can talk about being a woman and a woman in business. I can even talk about cooking and dating in your mid thirties and how fashion is frankly depressing at this age and how I'm sick of women 10 years younger than me trying to sell me anti wrinkle cream that apparently reduces the wrinkles on their newborn complexions. Everything that my daily life revolves round are subjects I can talk about. There's rarely a day that goes by that I can't add to the news coverage or post about a trending topic on social media. This is the same for you too and if they're trending then you really should get your voice out there in the mix.
• Be Real - We want the good, the bad and the lessons! Yes that's right, social media needs more mistakes, it's what makes us human. On platforms like LinkedIn they go down so well because it reminds everyone that 'keeping up appearances' isn't realistic. It's a huge relief to your audience, when you let them know you spilled coffee down a white top, stepped in a puddle, missed your train and forgot the killer presentation notes you'd been up all night preparing. When you can talk about mistakes you've made and the lessons you've learnt the reactions will be equally as huge because you're probably saving someone from doing the exact same thing.

If you post one thing this week that encapsulates any of the above ideas, then you'll feel so good when the responses come in. You don't have to post daily, though it helps for visibility. I always suggest quality over quantity so you don't creatively burn out or post one of the awful, meaningless quotes. Try it. The more authentic you are in your words, the better you will feel about the post.

I'm here if you need help getting yourself out there. I can either get it?Done For You?or?Done With You.

It's time to join the new wave of quintessentially British voices coming through. Your thoughts and words have a place in the world and they'll impact people in more ways than you'll ever know.

Speak Soon.

Carla