If you have landed on this article, you likely have heard the term “personal brand” before, though you may not know what the term means or why a leader should be aware of their own “personal brand.”
Typically, a brand is a concept that companies and individuals use to tell a consistent story about themselves. It involves many complex factors, including words and phrases, colors and imagery, thoughts and feelings, and actions and behaviors. One brand that we are all familiar with (whether we consciously know it or not) is the Illinois brand, which you can learn more about here. Key factors of this brand are the language of “the power of I”, the colors orange and blue, and the brand pillars (Innovative, Tailored Experience, and Legacy), among many other factors like social media presence and the block I.
When we talk about “personal brand,” we are referring to a lot of similar concepts. The way you talk or write, the interactions you have with others, and the way you spend your time are all aspects of your personal brand, whether you intentionally plan them or not. It goes beyond your resume / LinkedIn page, and instead focuses on the various ways that you exist and interact with the world. At the Illinois Leadership Center, we believe that the world needs better leaders (i.e. YOU), and one way you can develop yourself to be a better leader is to spend some time reflecting on your brand and how it plays a role in your life.
Here are some ways that you can begin reflecting on your personal brand:
1. Write down your values
What is important to you? This can be short phrases, like “learning” or “spending time with family”, or can be more complex, like “I want to make a difference in my community”. Challenge yourself to write at least 5 values that are important to you!
2. Ask others how they would describe you
Who do you trust to give you real and valid feedback? You may consider asking friends, family, teachers, and acquaintances to spend some time with you reflecting on your brand. Ask how they would describe you and reflect on whether what they share matches up with your values and how you would like to be described.
3. Define and use your brand
Where can you make changes to be more consistent with your brand? Start by defining what your brand is going to be (i.e. what actions, words, and beliefs do you rally behind?) Then, start using it, whether in the classroom, on social media, in your day-to-day life. See what works, and don’t be afraid to make changes to better align with your overall goals and values.
If you like what you see here, and you are inspired to go further, we would love for you to join us at our next i-Program – Imprint – which will take place on February 25th, 2023 in the Illini Union. During this program, we pair students with Illinois Alumni to discuss topics like networking, personal brand, and personal transition skills. It is typically our biggest and most exciting i-Program of the year, and we would love for you to be involved! You can learn more and register here: http://leadership.illinois.edu/i-programs
