What do people say about you when you leave the room?

Your personal brand is the perception others have of you when you’re not around. It plays a vital role in building connections, earning trust, and shaping your career. When you understand and embrace your personal brand, you gain the confidence to communicate your value effectively and proactively.

Let’s draw inspiration from a brand we all recognize: McDonald’s. Why do people keep coming back?

  1. Consistency: No matter where you are in the world, the experience is familiar.
  2. Accessibility: It’s always there when you need it.
  3. Trust: Over time, this consistent experience builds loyalty.

Brands that fail to deliver on their promise frustrate customers, erode trust, and leave people seeking alternatives. The same is true for personal brands. Are you someone others trust and value, or just someone they tolerate?

Your Personal Brand Goal

  1. Showcase Your Value: Create a brand strategy that highlights your strengths.
  2. Craft Your Elevator Pitch: Think of it as a “movie trailer” that intrigues and excites others about you.
  3. Leverage YOU: Embrace what makes you unique and valuable.

Getting Started: 3 Key Insights

  1. Don’t Be Humble: It’s not bragging if you can back it up.
  2. Own Your Strengths: People won’t notice your value unless you show them.
  3. Lean Into Discomfort: Self-promotion may feel awkward, but it’s essential for success.

Self-Reflection Questions

  1. What three words best describe your current personal brand?
  2. What do others likely say about your brand when you’re not there? Is there a gap between their perception and your ideal brand?
  3. Who do you admire? What three words define their brand?

Define Your Brand

  1. Choose three words that reflect your ideal brand identity.
  2. Compare them to how you currently perceive yourself. Are you living your brand?
  3. Evaluate your consistency. Are you showing up in ways that earn trust and build your reputation?

Your Brand Promise

Your brand promise is what sets you apart, articulating your unique value. Here is an example of how this all comes together. 

My 3 (ok 4) words that describe my brand: Strategic, Creative, Innovative, Simplify

My Elevator Pitch:
“As a strategic and creative thinker, I simplify complex ideas to make them actionable and effective. My coaching approach inspires fresh thinking, uncovers innovative insights, and empowers others to achieve meaningful outcomes.”

Action Plan

  1. Evaluate Your Brand: Rate your consistency and trustworthiness on a scale of 1–10.
  2. Draft Your Elevator Pitch: Using your three words, craft a 50-word pitch that captures your essence. Your movie trailer.
  3. Prepare real-world examples: Identify moments where you demonstrated your brand effectively. These stories add credibility and bring your pitch to life. This is your movie.

Final Steps

  1. Practice: Repetition builds confidence. Refine and rehearse until your pitch feels natural. Rate how comfortable you feel (1–10) sharing your brand after practicing your pitch.
  2. Identify specific actions to build trust in your brand. Focus on consistency.
  3. Embrace the discomfort of promoting yourself—it’s worth it!

Linsight Field Notes

What I Did Wrong:

I assumed hard work and reliability would speak for themselves. I believed staying focused and delivering results would naturally earn recognition. A manager once told me, “Lift your head up—network, and show people the value you bring.” I didn’t have a personal brand, nor did I feel confident promoting myself.

What I Learned:

  1. I needed a brand identity.
  2. Confidence starts with believing in myself.
  3. If I didn’t communicate my value, no one else would.

What I Did Differently:

I created and maintained a personal brand that others could trust. I became known for my consistency and dependability, and leaders began seeking me out because of the value I projected. I wasn’t just doing the work—I was sharing my story.

Takeaway:

Your personal brand is your greatest asset. Define it, embody it, and don’t shy away from sharing it. Trust, consistency, and confidence are the building blocks of a brand others will want to connect with and support.

Lin Grosse