It’s time to make the critical shift from leading the business by yourself to leading an organization of people. At P2Excellence, we help you navigate the uncharted territories of organizational growth with clarity and confidence.
I sit in a performance review and I hear my boss describe my work and I think, “That’s not true,” or “It’s true, but it’s not my fault.” I hear about an opportunity at work that, I think, would be perfect, but I’m not asked to interview. HR tells me that I don’t have the right skills and attributes. I think I do. I tell a co-worker about a problem I am having with a teammate, and she tells me her impression of the problem, using adjectives to describe me that seem wrong.
The company I work for has Brand Value. In other words, there is monetary value that can be calculated in the company’s name. Think Coca-Cola, Apple, United Way. And whether I like it or not, I have a personal brand value that impacts the brand value of the company for which I work. And I have a personal brand value that impacts – positively or negatively – the career for which I am most responsible – mine.
Companies spend a considerable amount of time defining and developing the brand for which they wish to be known. If they are smart and honest and clear, and if they back up the brand with real actions that prove the brand to be true, then they generate success, growth, and loyalty.
It’s the same for us, isn’t it? If we take the time to; define who we are in the marketplace, develop ourselves in the ways that strengthen brand, are consistently true to the brand we’ve developed, and communicate the brand clearly – then we, too, generate success, growth, and loyalty.
Our individual brand is made up of strengths, skills, passion, and values. It’s also, truthfully, made up of our weaknesses, our desire to improve, and our commitments made or broken.
I am 100% responsible for the way I show up in the workplace. I can be clear about my values and my passions. I can bring my strengths and skills to every interaction. I can be clear about where I may not have the best solutions, and I can listen and support others. I can choose to be better every day. The same is true for you.
Brand value takes diligence. You have to decide that it matters. We can all name companies and leaders who had a great brand and lost it. Smart and caring leaders don’t get lazy about brand. They consistently check in, asking themselves if they are authentic in the now and focused on development in the future. They are willing to look in the mirror and self-correct – with concern, commitment, and caring.
That’s our thoughts. As always, we welcome yours!
