By Luke Thomas, Director at Spring
There are plenty of brands out there that are so iconic, we recognise them by their logo alone. You know the big ones.
Here’s another on Carnaby Street this week, that has recently had the confidence and clarity of purpose to do the same.
It’s interesting to notice the parallels with how senior players in organisations go about defining their own leadership brands, management styles, and personal impact.
Most of the time it’s implicit and not thought-through. They’ll just do their thing and it’ll work for them or not – or some degree in-between.
The sheer length, depth and breadth of what combines to make an impression is staggering. Consider the following elements:
Words, clothes, values, office, car, internal coalitions, voice, habitual behaviours, holidays…the list continues.
Our book review of Snoop really gets under the skin of it all – click here.
I see the whole concept as both a massive opportunity and a painful Achilles heel for many people I work with, simply because their brand can be so hit and miss.
I see the results ranging from career suicide to major operational success.
A few questions for you to answer:
- When was the last time you consciously decided to get clear on your personal brand?
- What feedback have you asked for recently that could help you define the way you’re perceived?
- Are you clear on what you’re prepared to adapt, and what you’re not?
Great post. Steve Jobs – black jumper, jeans & trainers. That’s personal branding for you. Meanwhile, you, me & everyone is conscious about wearing the same ‘look’ too frequently, or switch clothing styles for our own entertainment. Branding goes deep and most of us only scratch the surface of the ‘template’ that we like to be known for.
Seth Godin, branded himself with the word ‘broken’ in Marketing talks. http://bit.ly/rdjRXG
We can all ‘brand’ to the degree of Levis, Apple or Nike. All we have to do is decide what our values are and stick with them. Sadly most cannot do it, because the personal or professional focus is jaded by either a decision to make money (in the professional instance) or because we do not know ourselves well enough to make a commitment long enough to become a well branded individual (in the personal instance).
I’m rambling. Keep the good posts flowing :)
Mark
“Branding goes deep and most of us only scratch the surface” – that’s so true Mark. It’s amazing how some of the biggest shifts that can be made in the way people are perceived, or the personal impact they have, are driven by through their own beliefs, mindsets, and identities… rather than simply their external look. It gets all intertwined with confidence and self-esteem too. The whole mixture… inwardly and outwardly is so exciting to work with.
I’m reading Tony Hsieh (of Zappos.com fame) at the moment and his book “Delivering Happiness” – he really gets under the skin of long term commitment to what you stand for: http://www.deliveringhappiness.com/about-2/ (Sure you’ll have come across it before. I’d been meaning to read him for a while, and got cracking when a lovely client bought it for me last week!)