Why The Future Is Personal Branding

Have you ever wondered why some get ahead in their career, although they don’t have the experience and expertise that you do?

Why do some get invited to speaking engagements although you have so much more to say about this topic.

And why is it that some get all the recognition whilst you do the work?

They know and do something that most don’t: by building their Personal Brand, positioning and marketing themselves, the right way. 

I truly believe that the missing link between your current career and your future success is your Personal Brand

Now if you’re serious about making a bigger impact in your career and your life – than you have come to the right place! This bloge is all about why the future of work is personal branding and how you can get started!

I’m sure you have all come across those people whose name comes up in conversations… for all the right reasons. They seem to be constantly landing speaking engagements and appear on panels and podcasts. They don’t chase opportunities. The opportunities chase them. 

What do these people know or do that others don’t?

Hint: they don’t have more degrees than you, more years of experience nor is their area of expertise special or unique.

The one thing that makes the difference is their focus on making an impact by working ON, not just IN their career.

They are known, respected and most importantly – trusted – as the Go-to-person in their field. And I don’t mean known by anyone. I’m talking about the right people.  

This is what Personal Branding is in a nutshell – the art and science of positioning, packaging and marketing your point of difference.

In this day an age where information is commodity and so are skill sets, now that companies can tap into a global talent pool, simply knowing more or even being better than others isn’t enough anymore. It comes down to how well you’re marketing yourself … and this is where most people fall short. 

Good news – there is a method to this madness because let me tell you – successful careers and businesses don’t just happen. They are created! 

And given that most research suggests that a professional millennial goes through 5 careers and 15 jobs on average, we need to be able to reinvent ourselves more often.

But like with embracing anything new – it requires you to let go of the old ways of thinking and doing and if you’re willing to do it, then let’s go!

1.)   Doing more of what you’ve done won’t get you where you want to go

When you started in your career, it was all about all hands on deck, gaining experience, getting exposure, doing the work. You got promoted based on the work you did. 

However, the further you progress in your journey, the less it is about doing the doing and the more it is about supporting others to be and do their best. Leadership isn’t a title. It is an action and a two-way street. You can’t lead if no one follows you. 

In order for people to follow, they need to see you as someone who is confident in their action. Plus - this is contagious.

You see- you don’t have to have the title to be a leader - if you inspire one person to take action, you are already a leader. But if no one knows of you, you simply can’t make the impact you want to make.   

2.)   Earning your stripes through years of experience isn’t a guaranteed ticket to success (anymore).

Careers aren’t lateral anymore. They are more like a jungle and simply doing more of what worked previously, doesn’t mean it gets the results especially since the world is changing constantly. In fact, doing more of that can quickly become your biggest baggage. The techniques, the technology, and the content you used early on in your career is highly likely already outdated, available for free or with a much better experience. 

You can’t rely on tenure to get you to the next stage. Companies are looking for people who can inspire also without a title, who have a community and are able to influence, by sharing a message and not just by seniority.

3.)   Adding another degree doesn’t unlock new opportunities  

The problem with the ‘college = success' equation is that an academic education doesn’t prepare you for jobs and tasks and environments that don’t exist yet. For some professions however, it absolutely is a must – think doctors, lawyers, or architects.

However, there is a big chunk of professions that don’t require a degree and since jobs and the tasks performed in them are changing so quickly, learning the same that has been taught for many years, often by educators who have never (or at least not for a long time) worked in the industry or profession isn’t the smartest thing to do.

Of course, there are Uni’s and professors who do things differently but on an overall scale, it isn’t the case.

The academic environment teaches students what to do in a specific and controlled settings in an artificial environment.

The new world of work requires lifelong learners who constantly improve themselves – that's what's going to determine success. Not a piece of paper that says you’re competent.

And that brings me back to personal branding. 

It is personal development on steroids and a never done job. Staying ahead of the game and being competitive requires ongoing learning, reinvention, and the ability to zig when everyone else zags. 

Those who have a high level of self-awareness are the ones who thrive in this fast-changing world of work. 

Good news?

It’s a skill and it can be learnt!

Even better news – this podcast is giving you all the strategies and tactics you need!

So make sure you subscribe to not miss a beat as I promise you – if you take action, if you follow the steps and if you keep persisting, success is inevitable.

So here’s to you! Your Brand. Your Future!