Brand You - why are you unique?

One Minute Viewpoint:  Brand You …. why are you unique?

Do you know your personal brand?  For some of us more established professionals, probably, but if you’ve just started your career, it may not be so easily articulated.   

Consistently demonstrating your own unique attributes shows people what they can expect from you.

Let’s keep this simple and do a little test.

Quickly think of your 3 strengths, 3 values and 3 improvement areas. 

Be authentic and truthful -- not wishful. 

And challenge yourself to make them unique to you and not commonly found?

For example, you could have listed your strengths as 1) creative, 2) team leader, 3) people person. And while these are great attributes – why are they different than someone else? How do you stand out? 

Could you not find a more elevated and compelling (and of course truthful) way to describe yourself?  Something that tells me more about your style.

Instead of being ‘creative’ are you a ‘creative problem solver’. – ie in what way are you creative?

Instead of a ‘team leader’ could you say are a ‘collaborative leader’ to tell me more about your unique leadership style.

Instead of being a ‘people person’ could you not be an ‘authentic relationship builder’.   

Knowing your 3 weaknesses is a way to be aware of where you need to seek support. It does not always mean you have to improve your weaknesses, you just need to understand them, so they don’t undermine you.

Finally, picking your 3 (work centered) values is important to understanding the environment and kind of people you will thrive amongst.  

The more you (and others) know your unique brand the easier it will be to see you in a promotion or to see you managing a challenge or considering you the ideal hire.  

Brand You = 3 strengths + 3 values + 3 improvement areas + unique + demonstrate consistently