Building Your Personal Brand: Becoming the Oprah in your Organization

In today’s high-performing professional world, understanding and actively building your personal brand is crucial. Your brand, whether internal within your team or external in the broader landscape, plays a significant role in your career trajectory. There are key elements of personal branding and actionable steps you can take to enhance your own reputation.

Know Your Brand. "What is your brand inside your team and company?" This is a question worth considering, as every interaction, in any form, contributes to your brand. While you may control factors like education, experience, values, strengths and skills, others' opinions of you, or perception, are not directly within your control. Your reputation equals your brand.

Within your company, build your brand by maintaining authenticity and integrity. Be genuine, approachable, and true to yourself. Your actions and communication should align with your core values and professional identity. Focus on an area of expertise and topics that interest you, and contribute in those areas. Be a resource to your colleagues. Offer help and support to others, share your expertise generously, and become invaluable. Find ways to serve others and the organization while demonstrating  your knowledge. Increase your visibility. Develop a stakeholder map to identify potential advocates and those whom you want to know better.

Living and demonstrating your company's core values within the organization is crucial. Understanding the waterline—core values, purpose, policies, and goals—helps align your personal brand with the overarching mission of the business.

Influence Others' Opinions. Great brands are influential. Oprah, Beyonce, Taylor. All leverage their brands to influence consumer choices, advocate for causes and shape cultural conversations. How can you be the Beyonce of your business or the Oprah in your organization? To shape others' opinions, focus on credibility, character, courage, and connection. Influential people meticulously build their brands by staying true to their values and fostering meaningful connections. Identify and live your core values, purpose and passion to elevate your brand.

Pitfalls to Avoid. Ego, pride, fear, and emotional reactions can hinder your personal brand. Operating below the line, driven by these behaviors, takes away from your true brand and the values you strive to represent. To overcome these pitfalls, adopt a mindset that embraces constructive criticism and manages emotions effectively.

Your personal brand is a dynamic entity that requires intentional cultivation. By taking small, consistent steps, you can authentically build a reputation that reflects your values, expertise, and contributions. Building your personal brand is not about portraying a perfect image, but about showcasing your authentic self for greater impact and success.