#5 Design Your Professional Leadership Brand in 5 Easy Steps
Your Leadership Brand Is Already Out There...But Were You The One That Created It?
There's a lot of power in a deliberate professional brand...
Have you ever wondered what others say about you when you're not in the room? As a leader (or even an aspiring leader), your leadership brand isn't just about you. It reflects how you inspire, guide, and influence your team and organization.
Its the hidden force shaping your career!
Here's a truth that many managers overlook: Everyone has a brand, especially if you lead a team. Whether you've carefully designed it, or it was organically developed, your professional identity exists. But the question is: Are you actively managing it?
Your brand, your reputation, your professional identity—it's already out there, influencing perceptions and decisions. But are you in control of it? Are you shaping it to align with your values and career or leadership aspirations?
Or, dun dun dun, did someone already define this brand on your behalf?...
A study from Gallup stated that people are more inclined to leave because of a bad leader, and less because of the company. A study from Forbes shared that 69% of employees stated that their manager had the biggest impact on their mental health. And giving people the mentorship and development they need is the top way to get your teammates engaged. Additionally, your ability to influence peers, partners, leaders, and direct reports, will determine your ability to get promoted.
How does your leadership brand and professional identity support these this? Does it?
Why your brand (professional identity, reputation, etc) matter;
For people leaders and those aspiring, your leadership brand can:
Boost your influence and credibility within your organization
Attract and retain top talent to your team
Open doors to new opportunities and advancements
Align your daily work with your core values, increasing job satisfaction
Help you navigate complex workplace dynamics with confidence
Contribute to shaping company culture
Engage your team, peers, partners, and clients
But here's the catch: If you're not deliberately shaping your professional identity, you're letting others define it for you.
Feeling Pressure? Let Me Make This Easy On You...
I've distilled one of my most impactful workshops into an easy-to-use guide—and I'm giving it away for free!
This guide walks you through the foundational steps to design, refine, and leverage your professional leadership brand. It's has 5 quick, but thoughtful, exercises that will help you:
Uncover your core values and align them with the leadership style you want to have
Identify the traits that set exceptional leaders apart, and call out the traits you want to avoid
Create a tailored and practical vision for your professional future
Develop a comfortable and concrete action plan to bring your leadership brand to life
Whether you're currently leading a team or aspiring to do so, this guide is a must-have resource in your professional toolkit. It's time to take control of your narrative and unlock the professional reputation YOU want! Remember, your professional brand exists whether you were the one who shaped it or not. Why leave it to chance when you can design it to propel your career forward?