When people hear your name, what do they think?
What do they feel?
That’s the power of a personal brand. It’s not a logo. It’s not a tagline. It’s not the filter you use on LinkedIn or the slick way you pitch your services. Your personal brand is the impression you leave—on your team, your clients, your peers, and even people you may never meet.
And whether you’re being intentional or not… your brand is already speaking.
In our recent LeaderSip session, we dug into this truth: Your personal brand isn’t something you build once—it’s something you shape every single day. Through your actions, your communication, your consistency, and your presence.
But here’s where I want to slow down a little. Because I don’t want you to think of personal branding as a performance. It’s not about crafting a version of yourself you think people want to see. It’s about closing the gap between who you are internally and how people experience you externally.
The most compelling personal brands aren’t manufactured. They’re aligned.
Owning Your Story
I’ve worked with leaders across industries—government, healthcare, education, nonprofits, entrepreneurs—and I’ve seen a pattern. The ones who stand out, the ones who earn trust and get remembered, are the ones who are rooted in their story.
They know what shaped them.
They know what drives them.
They know how to bring their truth into every room they walk into.
But they also know it’s a process.
I didn’t wake up one day and say, “I’m going to build a personal brand.” I had to go through seasons of insecurity, trial and error, and even silence to realize that my voice had value. That my mix of empathy, strategy, faith, and storytelling wasn’t just a style—it was a strength.
And once I owned that, things changed. My relationships deepened. My leadership evolved. My business grew. Not because I had a “brand,” but because I started showing up more honestly.
You have a story too. A perspective. A presence. Don’t hide it. Refine it.
Is Your Brand Aligned With Who You Are?
Take a moment and really reflect:
- How do people describe you when you’re not in the room?
- Is your online presence aligned with your real-world values?
- Do your visuals, your messaging, and your communication reflect your purpose?
Sometimes our personal brand gets stale. We grow, but our external image doesn’t catch up. Or we shrink back and try to blend in when what we really need is to step forward with clarity.
Branding is more than looking the part. It’s living the part—with integrity, emotional intelligence, and vision.
The Practical Side of Personal Branding
Here are three small but powerful things you can do this month to build or refine your personal brand:
- Get feedback from someone you trust.
Ask them how they experience you. What words come to mind? What stands out about your presence? This outside perspective can reveal blind spots or strengths you may be underestimating. - Audit your digital footprint.
Does your LinkedIn profile reflect your current values, skills, and voice? Are you posting content that reflects how you want to lead? Is your bio up to date, and does it sound like you? - Choose one platform or medium to show up consistently.
You don’t have to be everywhere. But you do need to be somewhere. Maybe it’s sharing insights on LinkedIn, writing a blog, recording short videos, or even just commenting thoughtfully on others’ posts. Let people hear your voice.
Final Thoughts
Personal branding isn’t just for influencers or CEOs. It’s for anyone who wants to live and lead with intention. It’s for anyone who wants to be remembered not for their job title—but for the way they made people feel.
And here’s the most freeing part:
You don’t need to become someone else to build a powerful personal brand.
You just need to become more of who you really are—and let that shine.
So ask yourself today:
What is my name saying?
And is it telling the story I want to tell?
You’ve got something worth sharing. Let’s make sure the world hears it—clearly, courageously, and authentically.