Your personal brand is more important than ever. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, job seeker, or established professional, how you present yourself to the world can significantly impact your career trajectory and opportunities.
For high profile executives, your personal brand reflects on your organization, products, and your company’s mission.
But what exactly is a personal brand, and why does it matter? How does understanding your core Motivations can help you craft an authentic and powerful personal brand?
What is a personal brand
Your personal brand is your reputation. It comes from the unique combination of skills, experiences, and personality that you want the world to see. Ultimately, it’s the telling of your story and how others see you. Your personal brand reflects your conduct, behavior, spoken and unspoken words, and attitudes.
Just as companies use branding to distinguish themselves from competitors, your personal brand sets you apart from your peers.
Why managing your reputation matters
Whether managing your personal brand online or in your neighborhood, your reputation precedes you. Before meeting you in person, people are likely to Google your name, check out your LinkedIn profile, or browse your social media accounts.
What they find in your written words, your comments on others’ posts, or the content you’ve shared from others matters. That history shapes your story, and it will either build a positive impression or taint your reputation before you’ve even met them.
By actively managing your reputation, you can ensure that the image you project to the world and your target market aligns with your professional goals and values. You take active, intentional control of the image you portray and ensure that it aligns with your authentic self.
An authentic personal brand can:
- Open doors to new opportunities that align to your true self
- Establish you as a thought leader in your desired field
- Build trust with clients, colleagues, and potential employers
- Increase your perceived value in whatever market you’re targeting
- Create a lasting impression that goes beyond your resume
The importance of an authentic brand
Sometimes, we take part in activities that aren’t necessarily part of our authentic brand. For example, we support a family member’s non-profit cause supporting animal welfare because we love our family member, not necessarily because we’re motivated by the welfare of cats and dogs. While these activities are noteworthy and laudable, they don’t do enough to show who you really are and what you are passionate about.
When you show what you are passionate about through social media posts, blog posts, YouTube videos, or any other media, you bring a level of passion and energy. Your personal brand becomes something that:
- Lifts you above competition. No one else can communicate about your passion quite the way you do.
- Connects you with like-minded people. The words you choose and the way you communicate has a certain resonance with people who are your tribe, your people, and your audience.
- Establishes authority. When you communicate in a way that connects and elevates you above competition, you automatically have authority in your field.
- Commands a higher price point. Your unique authentic perspective is unparalleled. As such, you can command higher price points for your services or for your salary because there’s no one quite like you.
- Unlocks personal fulfillment. Building a personal brand requires introspection and clarity about your values, strengths, and goals.. When your personal brand authentically reflects who you are, you’re more likely to attract opportunities that resonate with your true self, leading to greater job satisfaction and personal fulfillment.
Leverage your Motivational Dimensions to support your personal brand
Understanding your Motivation Dimensions is key to developing an authentic and compelling personal brand. Your MCode Dimensions offer valuable insights into what uniquely drives you, allowing you to align your brand with your intrinsic motivations. Let’s explore how each Dimension can support your personal branding efforts:
Achiever
If you’re an Achiever, showcase your accomplishments and high standards. Highlight awards, successful projects, and quantifiable results. Your personal brand should emphasize excellence and your ability to exceed expectations.
Driver
As a Driver, focus on your ability to overcome challenges and achieve goals. Share stories of how you’ve pushed through obstacles to reach success. Your brand should convey your unique determination and resilience.
Influencer
Emphasize your ability to inspire and lead change. As an Influencer, showcase your thought leadership through blog posts, speaking engagements, or mentorship programs. Your personal brand should position you as a catalyst for transformation.
Learner
Highlight your continuous pursuit of knowledge and expertise. Share insights from your latest learning experiences or certifications. As a Learner, your brand should reflect your curiosity and adaptability, and your ability to inspire others to learn from your experiences.
Optimizer
Focus on your ability to improve processes and systems. Share case studies of how you, as an Optimizer, have enhanced efficiency in previous roles. Your personal brand should emphasize your problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Orchestrator
Showcase your strategic planning and leadership abilities. Highlight projects where you, as an Orchestrator, have successfully coordinated diverse teams or resources. Your brand should convey your capacity to bring order to complex situations.
Relator
Emphasize your unparalleled ability to build strong relationships and foster teamwork as a Relator. Share testimonials from colleagues or clients about your collaborative nature. Your personal brand should reflect your empathy and interpersonal skills.
Visionary
Highlight your big, innovative ideas and your uncanny ability to see future possibilities as a Visionary. Share your unique perspectives on industry trends or potential disruptions. Your brand should position you as a forward-thinking leader.
Motivation and your personal brand strategy
Now that you understand how your MCode Dimension can inform your personal brand, it’s time to put it into action:
Define your unique value proposition. What sets you apart from others in your field? Use your primary Motivational Dimension to articulate your distinct strengths.
Develop a consistent narrative. Craft a compelling story that weaves together your experiences, skills, and motivations. This narrative should be reflected across all your professional platforms.
Curate your online presence. Ensure your LinkedIn profile, personal website, and other professional social media accounts align with your brand narrative. The “Bio Enhancers” and “LinkedIn Enhancers” parts of your MCode report will give you insights to craft this.
Create and share content. Demonstrate your expertise by creating blog posts, videos, or podcasts that reflect your unique perspective and motivations.
Network strategically. Attend events and connect with people who align with your brand and career goals. Your MCode Dimension can guide you in choosing the most relevant networking opportunities.
Seek feedback. Regularly ask for input from trusted colleagues or mentors to ensure your brand is being perceived as intended.
Building a brand is an ongoing process
As you grow and evolve in your career, your brand should adapt accordingly. By staying true to your core Motivations and consistently presenting an authentic image, you’ll create a powerful personal brand that opens doors and creates lasting, unparalleled impressions.
Embrace your unique Motivational Dimensions, tell your story, and let the world see the best version of you. Your personal brand is your most valuable asset – invest in it wisely, and watch as new opportunities unfold before you.
