The power of personal branding in business leadership
The world of leadership is quite dynamic where there is a never-ending quest for success. In that realm where competition is quite fierce, personal branding as emerged as a powerful weapon for the leaders so that they can differentiate themselves from others. In the modern world of business, leadership is not just limited to any particular positions and titles rather it signifies the unique attributes, action and value of a person which influence and inspire people around them. It is more about authenticity is which a leader is supposed to show the ‘real you’, build trust and positivity among others.
What is personal branding?
Personal branding is the deliberate process of self-discovery, refinement and evolution which helps in managing as well as shaping one’s professional identity and reputation. It helps in crafting an authentic and unique image putting a huge emphasis on your strength, value and goals as a leader. Personal branding is about projecting your true self, showcasing your strength and lift up your value as a leader. It guides a leader towards your strength and focus on that only by laying a huge emphasis on it.
Personal Branding intentionally shapes and manages the way of perception of other beings towards you as a leader. It helps in creating a strong image which is consistent and resonates with others. There are three essential elements which contribute to personal branding, namely, your personality, the way you make others feel and the smile that you wear. Thus, by embracing the power of being the real you, your personality and smile and the way others feel about you—gives you the enormous power to leave a significant mark as a leader.
Personal branding and leadership effectiveness
Personal branding has a huge impacton leadership effectiveness. An effective branding helps a leader to build a strong presence and influence among others in a meaningful way. It also helps in creating a sense of familiarity and trust. It allows team members, colleagues and stakeholders to connect more deeply with the leader.
It becomes more powerful tool in order to inspire and motivate others when your personal brand collapse with the values and principles of your leadership. It also gives a crystal-clear message about who you are in reality as a leader. It also highlights your vision as a leader and the impact you want to create which attracts individuals who has a firm believe in the same. It promotes a sense ofmutual trust and friendship among the individuals.
Personal branding and its authenticity
Authenticity plays a key role in leadership which is about being true to oneself, embracing the unique qualities that one has and express them in a better and influential way. People usually like those leaders who are transparent and genuine and authenticity helps in building this quality because it fosters truth. When you are true and genuine then you will be liked by a lot of people who will resonate with your vision and values.
But the question arises how to build authenticity in your personal branding. Firstly, you should start analysing the strength, values and passion that you possess. Your experiences will show the aspiration and impact that will make you a leader. By taking notes of these, stay aligned to the personal branding with these key elements. Don’t try to copy others. Believe in yourself and your passion of becoming a leader. Embrace your individuality and let reflect the unique value that you have.
Role of perception and trust in Personal branding
Perception and trust play a crucial role in leadership by shaping and influencing the way other perceive you. It aligns with your desired leadership identity. You establish a trustworthiness when you constantly present yourself in that manner in which your personal brand is reflected. It helps in building the confidence on the abilities that you have and other individuals also rely on your judgement.
They perceive you authentic, consistent and dependable based on the perception. You establish credibility in your field by cultivating a strong personal brand. It becomes synonymous with excellence in leadership quality. You become a person of a great insight, innovative solutions and gives advice to others.
Personal branding also influences the way others interpret your actions and intentions. It reflects fairness, truthfulness, empathy and inclusivity which helps in shaping the way of perception of others. It helps in building strong relationship, promote a supportive and collaborative work environment.
Various aspects of Personal Branding
There are various aspects of personal branding which contribute to build an effective leadership quality such as—smile, personality and the way of perception of others towards you.
- Your smile brings positivity
Smile is the language of kindness. It holds the power to shape the environment of interaction and it influences the emotional well-being of the individuals around the leaders. It even has the power to transcend all the barriers and establish a connection which is beyond any kind of cultural or other differences.
It brings openness, a genuine interest and approachability in their interest. An authentic smile brings a kind of positive interest by setting a tone for productivity and collaborative interactions.
Research has shown that smiling has psychological and physiological benefits for the person who is smiling and the person who is seeing him/her smiling. The brain releases endorphins, dopamine and serotonin while you smile. These are the chemicals signifying pleasure. It reduces stress levels and it uplifts your mood and bring positivity that eventually contributes to the overall wellness.
Smiling can influence others because the human brain has a neuron through which we imitate the emotions we observe in others. Thus, when a person smiles, the neuron gets activated and thus your mood is uplifted. It creates a suitable environment that enables an individual to be collaborative and support each other.
- Personality helps in embracing your qualities as a leader
A human personality is a fusion of values, traits and other characteristics that contribute in making you a leader. Thus, it is important to embrace your distinct personality which will build an authentic leadership quality. Once you will be true to your self then you will establish trust with those people you will lead.
Try to recognize your potential, strength and the field in which you are required to do a lot of work.Don’t try to imitate others as you need to be more authentic. Try to connect with others, solve their problems.
You need to understand that leadership style is quite significant for an effective leadership. Focus on your approach—how you make decisions, motivate others and resolve problems. Know what style you own and then focus on uplifting your strengths.
By focusing on your strength, you can enlarge your impact and thus a lot of people will be inspired around you. Leadership quality also involves being ‘assertive’ that is you should be able to confidentlyexpress your opinions. You should be able to set certain desire and make tough decisions whenever required. At the same time, you should value the emotions and perspectives of others.
- Make others feel valued
In order to make others valued, you need to understand emotional intelligence as it is proved to be quite effective. It enables an individual to understand, recognise and manage emotions in one’s own self as well as others. A high emotional quotient encompasses self-awareness, empathy and skills which helps in creating a strong connection and make others feel valued.
Another key feature includes being an active listener as it makes others to feel valued. When someone is speaking then you should focus on him/her and try to understand their perspectives also. When you let others speak, then they feel that their voice also matters. It creates a kind of psychological safety which opens the door of better communication. It is also a way of respecting others idea and creating plenty of viewpoints. Thus, individuals feel valued.
Another way of make others feel valued is recognising and appreciating the contribution of others. You should praise the work of your team which creates a sense of pride among the team. Highlight their dedication and commitment for the work. It does not only inspire them but also motivates them to achieve that excellence.
