When we think of brands, we tend to think of businesses and corporations. We associate them with famous logos like swoosh marks, cursive text, or golden yellow arches. We think of them as static things that can be manipulated or improved with marketing strategies. Successful brands present an attractive image, use carefully crafted messaging, and make deliberate appeals to their target audience.

The formation of an image isn’t just limited to companies, but to people as well. Although we don’t often realize it, we categorize and connect with people according to their personal brands, assigning values, attaching beliefs, and evaluating a person’s worth based on their outward appearance and their actions.

In a professional setting, carefully curating your personal brand can help you climb the career ladder. Success in your career is largely determined by how you present yourself to your employer, your colleagues, and most especially, your clients. If you want to achieve a position in business leadership, there are several things you need to do to curate your personal brand and prepare yourself for the role:

• Act with integrity

In leadership, one of the most important—if not the most important—behaviors that you must demonstrate is to act with integrity. People with high integrity are deemed as credible and trustworthy. Trustworthy people make great managers, presidents, and directors. If you want to sit at the boardroom or the corner office, you need to honor your commitments, make good on your promises, and give people a reason to believe in what you say. 

• Communicate clearly

People who are in positions of authority carry a tremendous amount of responsibility. They need to be able to rally people to a cause, motivate them in times of trouble, and validate them when they succeed. To be able to influence others, you need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively. Compelling communication is a competency that is innate in natural leaders, but it can be practiced and refined over time, and with experience. 

• Stay consistent

When you think about your favorite brands, one of the reasons you remain loyal to them is because they provide you with a level of assurance that has previously met your expectations. The same can be said of people, most especially those in business leadership. Management roles require stability and reliability. You need to be someone who consistently delivers on his commitments according to a certain standard.

• Demonstrate empathy

Humans look for social connections with their leaders and colleagues. If you want to get along with your boss or your teammates, you need to develop strong relationships with them. 

Acting professionally does not equate to acting robotically. In fact, most people respond better to a leader who demonstrates vulnerability while still accepting accountability and responsibility. Likewise, employees tend to trust bosses who show empathy and understanding for their situation, rather than someone who treats them like a number or statistic on a scale. 

• Dress for success

It probably sounds cliché, but one of the outward signs of professionalism is the way you present yourself. This doesn’t necessarily mean putting on a suit and tie, but rather grooming and dressing in a way that’s appropriate for the occasion. No matter what people say, your outward appearance influences what people think about you. Caring about your appearance indicates that you take care of yourself and that you are capable of looking after others, too.

It must be said that there is no difference between your personal and professional brand. There should only be one personality that dictates your overall behavior. To make your brand credible and believable, you cannot just display the values, you need to live them and act accordingly as well. 

The most successful and influential brands in the market today are those that were able to deliver a positive impact. People are no different. How you present yourself is going to affect how people treat you. How you think, act, and relate with other people will determine how people perceive you and what business leadership opportunities you can create for yourself. 

We can help you build your brand through online business leadership courses. We offer skill development and personal training to prepare you for better career opportunities and management positions. Visit our website for more information and to sign up for your pathway to success.