Why Personal Branding is Crucial for Aspiring Leaders

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For new and emerging leaders, personal branding is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Your personal brand, also known as your leadership brand, should convey who you are, what you stand for, and the benefits you can offer a group, business, or customer. This is how you increase your exposure and power to get more jobs and clients more quickly. However, because it takes time, many aspiring leaders don't develop or establish their leadership brand.

To identify, develop, and promote your personal brand as a leader, it takes time but it's worth it.

I should know.

The online space particularly is noisy and standing out as a leader can be challenge. I remember when I lost my identity and was unable to effectively show up as me. I was a Christian too and struggled to marry my faith and business as a leader. But I was prepared to lose people and gain a new following of people that trusted, brand Michelle Raymond! I moved away from being in cliques. I created new networks. I showed up consistently, provided real, tangible value. It took effort, reflective moments and times to be visible and take up space!

Not everyone is prepared to exert this level of effort. Taking up a leadership position can provide an opportunity to have a big effect on a business, community, or organization. But merely adopting a position of leadership is insufficient. You don't automatically have a big influence just because you have a job or a title. Your strategic actions inspire, enable, and equip people you lead, which has a huge influence.

And to do that, you need to create a personal brand that centers on your role as a leader. Your personal brand reveals who you are to the world and to the people you hope to lead and influence. You won't be able to lead effectively if you don't have a distinct personal brand. This is because individuals close to you won't be sure how to interpret you. They won't be aware of your values. They might not even be aware of you or your efforts. A personal brand clarifies your values and aids in gaining attention for your business. You need to have a cause to stand for as a leader. What else are you trying to motivate or persuade others to do, then? What exactly do you believe in? Why do you think it's true?

What Kind of Leader are you?

Do you have compassion? Are you a tough guy? Are you being obnoxious? Do you only have hearts and curly cues, or are you also fire? I remember sharing in a post recently. That you don’t need to be a leadership b**ch to command attention and respect. I’m a compassionate leader, a servant leader and those that work with me get to experience tis, first hand.

Your character and principles are shown via the way you conduct your business. These are all components of leadership. Today, no great leader has succeeded without a personal brand. Look at Richard Branson and Virgin , Gary Vaynerchuk and VaynerMedia , Oprah Winfrey and the OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network - 3 brilliant examples of personal brand dominating business brand.

Some personal brands are more relatable than others, and as a result, they draw followers more readily. The leader's personal brand is an external manifestation of their inner selves. Your personal brand is influenced by how you connect with others, how you react to their successes and failures, and how you handle both good and negative situations. They convey to your society the type of leader you are.

Personal Branding is Important for Aspiring Leaders

Developing your personal brand is crucial when you are in a leadership position, but emerging leaders should also consider it. You should start focusing on your personal brand if you desire to be a leader but are not currently in a position of authority. By doing this, you may better position yourself for that leadership role and increase your chances of achieving it. This is due to the fact that how you present yourself as a leader may very well decide your ability to influence people to view you as the leader you want to be. If you are successful, the decision-makers will recognize your potential for leadership and could give you the job, whether by election, appointment, or promotion. Due to the personal brand you establish, they could be more inclined to follow you. Since you feel you are capable of being a leader, people must see it in you. Make it simple for people to recognize this next leader by developing your leadership personal brand.

Everything you do as a leader while developing your personal brand either enhances or detracts from it. When you are vying for a competitive leadership position, you cannot afford to make the same errors others do in your personal life or at business. After all, one poor decision may make everything you say or do as a leader look awful. You are a person, after all, so you don't have to be a robot, but you do need to be tactical. Think through your behaviors in order to create the personal brand you desire. For instance, you cannot act irresponsibly at the workplace picnic like your friend who drank too much if you hope to advance to a senior position within the organization. You want to conduct yourself in a manner befitting a leader in that organization. Yes, be authentic. Be your best self, nevertheless.

Leadership Takeaway

Without a strong personal brand, a business is nothing. This does not, however, imply that you should neglect your company in favor of your brand. It would be preferable to have a definite plan of action for the two instead. Only when personal branding is supported by a solid business plan can it be successful. If your strategy is poor, you've already lost the battle before it even starts. When you combine your personal and professional identities, you have a potent branding strategy that may accelerate and facilitate the achievement of your objectives.

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