Like all great companies, each person has a personal brand that symbolizes who they are. You need to evolve your personal brand the higher up you go in your career. This is all part of your personal development plan. Here are a few key tips to keep in mind when it comes to evolving your personal brand.
Look The Part
How you present yourself to the world says a lot about you as a person, especially as a manager. Are you dressed professionally or casually? Do you take pride in your appearance, or do you not care what you look like? If you want to be taken seriously and depending on your work environment, here a few areas to focus on:
- The clothes, shoes, jewelry you wear, styles and colors, etc.
- Do you fit in, stand out, or look out of place?
- Look at those on the same level as you or above; how do you stack up?
- The way you style your hair (this includes facial hair fellas).
- Always groomed? Professional? Or is it a mess?
- The way you move or sit.
- With a purpose? Erratic? No energy? Slouching or sitting up straight?
- The appearance of your hands and nails.
- Always clean? Or gross?
Act The Part
Early on in my career, one of the most memorable advice that I was given was to act as though you have the role you want. If one day you want to be a Director, then act like one. If you don’t care to be taken seriously, then don’t. Some certain mannerisms and behaviors are important to show to help ensure that you are seen acting the right way:
- Shake hands firmly.
- Maintain an appropriate level of eye contact.
- Say, thank you.
- Return phone calls or emails within a reasonable time.
- Respect other people’s views.
- Give other people credit when it’s due.
- Hold yourself and others accountable.
- Do what you say you will do.
- Stand your ground when necessary.
Sound The Part
You need to look and act the part; you need to make sure you sound the part. I have seen far too many leadership positions sound like children, incapable of leading teams or initiatives. This is not only about thinking before you speak, but about speaking with confidence (not arrogance). Keep these tips in mind:
- The tone of your voice.
- Be direct but approachable.
- Confident, not arrogant.
- Please don’t be whiny or aggressive.
- The pace of your speech.
- Slow enough to sound purposeful but not hesitant.
- Not too fast to make you seem erratic.
- Words you choose – short, active, and positive or longer and more descriptive.
- Don’t be a rambler. Get to the point as everyone is busy.
- Don’t choose big words to make you look smarter than everyone else too.
- Expression in your voice.
- Approachable, down-to-earth, and friendly will win every time.
Final Thought
Remember, to effectively evolve your personal brand, you need to look, act, and sound the part. You also need to do it consistently. If you are far off from where you need or should be with any of these, don’t worry. Start building in changes over time, and before you know it, you will be looking, acting, and sounding like the type of leader you want to be known as.
