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When most people hear the term “branding” the first thing that comes to their mind is a company's brand or style. What that company wants to look like or be known for. But what about you personally... what is your own personal brand telling other people about you?
We all know a famous movie star or rock star that has a personal brand or a certain image that the public holds about them. It makes that person who they are in your eyes, and the opinion you may hold of that individual might be positive or negative.
Take for example the American actor, Charlie Sheen. What do you think about when you hear his name? You probably think about some crazy party animal always getting in trouble and not caring too much about anyone other than himself. Then, if you look at Bill Gates, sure you may think about Microsoft. What about him as a person? Here is a man who along with his wife started the Bill and Melinda Gates Polio Foundation and has dedicated a large portion of his wealth to eliminating Polio in the world. Now, Bill Gates is a person that we think about and say to ourselves this person really cares about others and the world he lives in. If you had a choice of which of these two individuals you could do business with or spend your time with, which would you choose? And why?
What is your personal brand all about? Are you really walking your talk? Do your actions match the values that you profess to the people your dealing with on a daily basis? What do people see when you don’t know they’re watching? Your words have to match your actions or your personal brand will be ruined. I this this happen all the time.
I recently ran into an acquaintance who stopped me to talk. She proceeded to tell me how bad the economy was and how hard it was to get a job, she went on to tell me that she was recently at a community event and met someone who was looking for help in their business and they told her to stop by for an interview the next day. However, she didn’t get the job and couldn’t figure out why; she was more than qualified for the position. I later ran into the business owner and asked him what happened and why he didn’t hire someone who had all the qualifications she did to fill the position. The business owner proceeded to tell me that he was prepared to hire her until later that night he saw her being very rude to a group of older people at an event, and talking about how much of a pain dealing with older people can be because they move so slow and require too much attention. He then said, “I don’t need anyone with that attitude working for me. I’m 68 years old and sometimes I move slow and need a little more attention than others. I just don’t think we would be a good fit to work with each other.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re a business owner, an at home parent, a teenager, or fresh out of college looking to land that new job, you need to start thinking about and building your personal brand. Make sure it's positive, healthy, and matches the values of the people who can help you and open rewarding doors for you in life. You never know who is watching, so start being truthful with yourself. If what you’re doing is not what you want to be remembered for don’t—do it. My Grandfather always told me “if you wouldn’t do it in front of your mother then you probably shouldn’t be doing it.”
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About the Author: Chris Livingston
Chris Livingston has become known as America’s Maximum Thinking™ Coach. He’s the author of the book Pathways to Success: A Better Way for Your Today. His "can–do" attitude and effective ability to teach interpersonal skills that bring forth rewarding real-life results, has made him a valuable "go-to" consultant and mentor for those facing challenges in business, career and life. With over 20 years as a successful entrepreneur, Chris has helped many businesses to shift and change their company’s mindset to achieve greater success in sales, team efficiency, strategic business development, and in making excellence "The Standard." He believes in and embraces the philosophy of Dr. Wayne Dyer, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
It doesn’t matter if you’re a business owner, an at home parent, a teenager, or fresh out of college looking to land that new job, you need to start thinking about and building your personal brand. My Grandfather always told me “if you wouldn’t do it in front of your mother then you probably shouldn’t be doing it.”
Key Takeaways:
1 - Start thinking about and developing your personal brand
2 - Make sure your personal brand is positive, healthy, and matches what positive people who can help and support you are looking for
3 - If what you're doing is not what you want to be remembered for—don't do it
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