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Tag: personal brand

Disappointing relationships? It could be you.

I often hear the following:

  • My relationships aren’t fulfilling.
  • I’m not meeting the right people.
  • I’m not as connected as I’d like to be.
  • My employees don’t respect me.
  • My team isn’t as close as when we first began.
  • I’m not introduced in the way that I’d like.
  • I can’t find people who share my interests.

It’s easy to place the blame on outside factors and fault something external, something beyond our control — a difficult situation, a partner’s deficit, the inability of a client to clearly communicate. The challenging route is an active one, requiring self-discipline and honest assessment. For example:

  • How do I represent myself across different areas of my life (to friends, acquaintances, strangers, colleagues, my family)?
  • Are the activities I participate in an accurate representation of my innermost dreams and ambitions?
  • Do I frequent similar kinds of situations expecting different results?
  • Am I investing time and intention to create meaningful relationships?
  • Do I carefully and thoughtfully communicate with others?

Self-analysis can be trying, confusing, and difficult to navigate; however, it is an essential step in identifying the roles we create in our lives.
How do you contribute to common perceptions of your character and personality? What behaviors do you repeat that fail to serve you in your most valued personal and professional relationships?
Most often, the gate towards fulfilling, meaningful connection begins with you.

Predict your own trend.

We’re bombarded. With people, connections, business cards. Social media has connected us in ways we’ve never experienced before.
But is it more meaningful? Valuable?
Consider how it has changed your own relationships and experiences.
Now that so much of our lives are recorded and documented online, how necessary is it to cultivate experiences sans media and technology?
How do you cut through all of the noise to find what’s most valuable to you… as a consumer, individual, professional?
Do you take advantage of the interplay of industries, reaching out to connect with others who might contribute to better work and better ideas?

What’s the dress code?

A commonly asked question, no matter what kind of event. The answer is usually simple:

Dress how you’d want to represent yourself.

By asking, “What is everyone else going to wear? What is acceptable?” think of the position you’re placing yourself in. Are you wanting to see if you’re most comfortable shoes, the ones that have taken you across continents and through cities, would be appropriate? Did you want to sport your oldest, most worn (most comfortable!) jeans to a meet a group of strangers? Were you really considering renting a tuxedo or digging that gown out of the closet?

Are you worried you’ll stand out? Or are you hoping to sneak by? Are you afraid of looking “too nice” and separating yourself from the crowd in that way?

As much as our teen selves and our inner rebels hate to admit, what we wear and the way we wear it communicates bits of our personality and what we stand for. Our clothes and our appearance is the easiest way a stranger can assesses us, and it is often the first thing we’re judged by when we first make contact.

Recently, I attended an event where I watched a couple who went “all out” — yes, complete with costumes — easily start conversations and move with ease around the room. Their dress served as a flag, signaling to other guests that they were ready to meet and mingle and share ideas. It worked.

So really, does it matter what the dress code is? Instead, think about:

How do I want to represent myself in this situation?

What would make me feel most confident when I enter? When I’m introduced?

Do I want to fit in?

Or do I want to stand out?

“What floor?”

There are countless tactics that can strengthen the genuine enthusiasm and personality of a brand. Companies shell out thousands of dollars to learn things like:

  • How to communicate, in an appropriate and relevant way
  • What to say so people will listen
  • How to best stimulate audience interest and involvement
  • Where to go to find the latest trends and news

Are you just as intentional with your personal brand? Do you look for situations that force you to flex?
Your “elevator speech” isn’t effective if you don’t ride elevators.