Someone asked me this week to define how to go about building a personal brand at work. There are thousands of articles which mainly focus on building an online brand.
I wanted to focus on how I would build a brand inside the workplace. Here are the five steps I recommend to anyone trying to build their brand.
1. Define Your Professional Identity
The first step to building a personal brand at work is to define what you want to be known for:
- Identify Your Currency. What skills, experiences, and qualities do you want to be known for? Recognize your unique strengths and how they contribute to your role and team. These strengths and your results are your 'currency' in the workplace.
- Understand Your Company Culture. Align your personal brand with the values and culture of your organisation. This ensures your brand resonates well within the people around you.
- Write a Personal Mission Statement. Summarise what you stand for, your career goals, and how you intend to add value to your organisation. You won't need to publish this, but it will help you shape your brand.
2. Do the work
It can be easy to forget this important step. Consistency and excellence in performance are critical when building a strong personal brand.
- Deliver High-Quality Work. Strive to exceed expectations in your daily tasks and projects. Consistently producing high-quality work builds trust and respect.
- Run TOWARDS Work. Proactively seek out opportunities to contribute beyond your immediate responsibilities. Volunteer for new projects, offer solutions, and show willingness to go the extra mile.
- Work with Grace. Be reliable, punctual, and professional in all interactions. Your behaviour and attitude impact how others perceive you and your brand.
3. Network and Build Relationships
Strong professional relationships are essential:
- Build Connections. Network with colleagues across different departments. Understanding various parts of the organisation provides valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration.
- Seek Mentorship. Find mentors who can provide guidance, support, and feedback. A good mentor can help you navigate your career path and enhance your personal brand.
- Lead with Gratitude. Support your colleagues, share credit, and contribute to a positive team dynamic. Being seen as a collaborative and supportive team member enhances your workplace reputation.
4. Showcase Your Expertise and Value
Demonstrating your skills and value to the organisation is key to establishing your brand.
- Share Your Knowledge. Offer to lead training sessions, workshops, or learning events. Sharing your expertise positions you as a knowledgeable and valuable resource.
- Present Your Achievements. Don’t shy away from sharing your accomplishments in meetings, reports, or performance reviews. Communicating your successes (factually) helps others recognise your contributions.
- Be Constructively Dissatisfied. Constantly look for ways to improve processes, introduce new ideas, and add value.
5. Seek Feedback and Continuously Improve
Building a personal brand is a process that requires regular evaluation and improvement.
- Ask for Feedback. Regularly seek constructive feedback from your managers, peers, and team members. Understanding how others perceive you can provide valuable insights for personal growth.
- Reflect and Adapt. Reflect on the feedback you receive and identify areas for improvement. Be open to change and continuously adapt to enhance your personal brand.
- Always be Curious. Stay updated with industry trends, take relevant courses, and develop new skills. Continuous learning and professional development ensure your brand remains relevant and competitive.
Key Takeaways
Building a personal brand at work involves defining your professional identity and excelling in your role. In parallel, you'll need to be networking, showcasing your expertise, and continuously improving.
Your personal brand requires time, effort, and consistency. By following these steps, you can build a brand that supports your reputation. This will open up new career opportunities, and help you achieve your goals.
