Stripped Away

Every leader has a personal brand.

Some intentional. Some not.

Your brand is determined by how people feel around you…

So what determines that?

Your reputation.

It precedes you.

Almost like a scent from cologne or perfume (if you wear it).

How people view you depends on your actions/behaviors.

• Talk is cheap.

• It’s action that produces results (you’ll hear me say that a lot).

Think of it like this.

How do you earn the trust and respect from others you just met?

You prove it through your actions over time.

But your reputation of those who know you can influence how people (who don’t know you) view you.

I’m not saying you can’t change a negative perception of yourself.

Yet it takes time and consistent, new behaviors to convince someone otherwise.

The reason I chose this topic to write about today is people say they are going to do a lot of things.

But they don’t follow through.

No one is perfect, but if you don’t do what you say your reputation is going to take a hit.

On a positive note, if you are good with follow through you’ll be seen as reliable.

(Dependability is extremely rare these days.)

When we think about leadership, our minds tend to immediately go towards skill sets.

That’s natural, but people tend to get hired for skills and fired for character flaws.

• Take for instance the difference between flakey and responsible.

• One will get you promoted and the other will get you laid off.

You see, your reputation is all you have as a leader.

Intentions definitely matter, but you get judged on your behavior(s).

Leadership is tough.

But it should be…it’s what you signed up for.

Now you can be very intentional about crafting your reputation.

For example, as a speaker I describe my style as brief, conversational and practical.

It’s something I put out there, so audiences know what to expect before I start talking.

That is my intention, so I need to validate those claims with my performance.

• So what about you?

• What do you want to be known for?

• How do you want people to feel around you?

You have the choice to shape the perception of others around you by your actions.

It isn’t easy, but a strong brand is very attractive.

Sometimes it’s easier to think about your favorite brands you purchase.

The stronger impression they leave in your mind, the stronger their brand is.

Take that same concept when it comes to your personal brand, or reputation.

Be intentional, then act it out.

Start thinking about your legacy.

Your reputation is how you are remembered.

So be the leader you wish to follow.

God Bless,

Scott 

P.S. All great leaders do this👇. Don’t you agree?