What's my USP? The challenge of defining a personal brand.

This week, my new website went live, and I did what my startup-founder mindset was programmed to do: send it out for testing and feedback.

Between the widespread playbook of startups – “fail large, fail fast,” “done is better than perfect,” and “pivoting the model” (in this case, my personal brand) – or crafting it to perfection to showcase my ability to create a concise and compelling narrative, I will choose the first approach every single time.

It might sound riskier and like rolling the high-stakes dice carelessly, but trust me, it’s not!

Thankfully, in my career, I’ve worked with or had the chance to meet the best of the best. Maybe my contact list is worth more than any company I’ve founded. Just maybe!

There was specialist-oriented feedback pointing out that I was being excessively generalist; others praised the fact that I was a polymath.

The common denominator from every critique of my recent work highlighted a lack of cohesion and defining what I actually am. This question is intriguing, thoughtful, and challenging. After 32 years since I started working, most of them as part of high-performance teams or tackling complex challenges, I should have the answer at the top of my tongue.

But it’s not the reality.

Yes, I know what I’m good at and the level of work I can deliver. But what would be my personal brand USP that I commonly find for my clients, mentees, investments, and my own companies? How is it possible that I find it hard to craft for myself what I can do for others with my hands tied? I don’t suffer from imposter syndrome, I know my passions, I can create a priority matrix easily… there’s no clear obstacle in my way.

The feedback collected, on the other hand, made me approach this problem differently. I don’t know the answer yet, but I’ll figure it out soon.

What I’ve learned is that sometimes we need to step back and look at our work from an outsider’s perspective. The insights from my peers have been invaluable, prompting me to reconsider and refine my personal narrative. It's an ongoing journey of discovery and alignment.

I am committed to leveraging my diverse experiences to create value for others, while steadily working towards a more cohesive personal brand. Defining my unique selling proposition is not just a challenge; it’s an opportunity for growth and clarity.

As I navigate this process, I remain open to feedback and collaboration. The ability to adapt and evolve is at the heart of every successful venture, personal or professional.

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback so far. Your input is shaping the next chapter of my journey. Let’s stay connected and continue to learn from each other. Together, we can achieve our goals and make a positive impact in the world.

Feel free to visit my new website and share your thoughts. Your insights are invaluable as I refine my narrative and continue this journey of personal and professional growth. What strategies have you used to define your personal brand? How do you balance showcasing diverse skills while maintaining a cohesive narrative? Let’s discuss and learn from each other.

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