Don't Want It, But Know You Need It (Visibility, Credibility, Gravitas)?

Hi there! Welcome to this edition of our newsletter, where we explore the resistance to shaping your brand versus having it shaped by others. Because, as we all know, like it or not, we all have a personal brand as proven by what people say when we're not in the room. 
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Let's be honest. The phrase "personal brand" can make even the most seasoned professionals cringe. 

Maybe it sounds like “look at me” marketing.
Maybe it feels inauthentic.
Maybe you believe your work should speak for itself.

Or maybe… you're just too busy leading, building, delivering, raising a family, or keeping things afloat, to also worry about branding.

I get it. I’ve coached hundreds of smart, capable, grounded leaders who say things like:

“I don’t want to become one of those people who post constantly about themselves.”
“I’m not here to promote myself. I’m here to do the work.”
“I’m not trying to be famous. I just want to be respected.”

But here’s the thing:
You already have a personal brand.

Whether you’ve crafted it or not, people already have a perception of you: how you lead, what you care about, the problems you solve, the energy you bring into a room.

Your personal brand is not your Instagram aesthetic, logo, or corporate headshot.
It’s your reputation.
It’s your impact.
It’s what people say about you when you’re not in the room, and whether they invite you into the next one. 

So, what if we redefined personal brand?

What if it wasn’t about shouting to be seen… but standing for something meaningful?

What if it wasn’t about being constantly visible… but strategically remembered?

What if your personal brand was simply:

• A clear signal of your values and expertise
• A consistent way to be known for your strengths
• A tool to create opportunities for yourself and others

Because here's the data:

🧭 Employees at companies with strong personal brands are 27% more likely to feel confident in their career direction (LinkedIn, 2023)
📈 Leaders with visible, credible personal brands are 3x more likely to be considered for stretch roles and board appointments (Deloitte, 2022)
👥 79% of hiring managers say personal branding plays a crucial role in hiring decisions, especially at senior levels (CareerBuilder, 2023)

Still want to opt out?

Personal branding doesn’t have to be performative.

It should be intentional.

That could look like:

• Owning the narrative in your next performance conversation
• Being known across the business for your strategic thinking or crisis leadership
• Sharing thought leadership once a month to reinforce your credibility and voice
• Mentoring others in a way that creates ripple effects across your industry

You don’t need to be loud. You need to be clear.
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be remembered in the right rooms.
You don’t need to be someone else. You need to be more of who you already are, on purpose.

Final thoughts:

If you’re building something worth leading, influencing, or protecting, you need a personal brand.
Not to be impressive.
To be unmissable to the people, roles, and opportunities that align with who you are.

Because if you don’t shape your brand, someone else will.

That's all for this edition. We hope you found it inspiring and informative. As always, we're eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Until next time, keep shaping opportunities and making a difference!

In your corner, 
Janine