Are People Buying What You’re Selling?

 Leadership  8 Responses »
Mar 222012
 

Growing up, we were not allowed to ask “why.”  What my parents said was the final, and only, word!  No questions asked and certainly no asking “why?”  Growing up in this type of environment, I just accepted life as it came to me.  As I got older (out of the house, of course), I began to question life and sometimes would ask why.  But I never REALLY asked why about life and my purpose in life.

Why do you do the things you do?  Why should people follow you?  What is it about your leadership style that enlists an army of followers?  The TED video, below with Simon Sinek (www.startwithwhy.com), will give you something to think about.  Watch and take notes as he explains WHY!  And ask yourself if you are giving your followers enough WHY.  Are they buying what you’re selling?

 

Your Leadership Brand

 Leadership Brand  No Responses »
Aug 232011
 

We know many companies by their brand.  Many times, the brand is the name of the founder or owner.  Charles Schwab.  Dell.  Oprah.  Madonna.  JC Penney.  Tiger.  I could go on and on.  When you hear the name or the brand, you immediately get an image of the “product,” even if it’s a negative image.  Brands are powerful things.

I recently read “The Brand Called You” by Montoya and Vandehey.  Great book and highly recommended.  Even though the book focuses on building your business brand, I started thinking about my own “brand” in my company.  I began thinking about what I am known for.  And it struck me that the same process to identify a business brand can also be used to identify a personal brand.

What is your brand?  Why should anyone “buy” what you have to offer?  Who is your client/customer (both internal and external)?  Why do they seek you out over someone else.  OK, so you don’t own a company, but you DO have a product to offer…YOU!  Think about your personal brand.  What is your specialization?

In terms of your leadership, why should anyone follow you?  What is your leadership brand?  Sure you have a college degree or certifications.  So what?  So do most of the other people in your company or organization.  What sets you apart from the rest?  In addition to your technical/functional skills, your leadership skills should set you apart.

Everything you do adds to your brand.

  • How you act in a professional setting
  • The e-mails you send
  • Your personal values
  • The skills you possess
  • How you treat others
  • Your aspirations
  • Your ability

How do you craft your personal brand?  It won’t happen overnight, but you can begin by answering the following:

  1. What experiences do you possess that people or organizations seek in a leader?
  2. What skills and knowledge do you possess that people or organizations seek in a leader?
  3. What values do you possess that align with the values of your organization?
  4. What sets you apart from others in your organization?

When people hear your name, what images come to mind?  Results oriented?  Go-to person?  Quality individual?  Leader?

Begin thinking about your personal brand.  Why should an organization hire you?  Why should your company put you in a leadership role?  Why should anyone follow you?  Focus on one or two things you can develop as an individual and become a specialist in that area.