Being successful both professionally and personally is very much dependent on our ability to develop deep and meaningful relationships. Happiness and heartbreak are determined more by the quality of our relationships than anything else.
When someone “stands out” in a uniquely positive way, what has transpired over time that has earned him or her respect and admiration? Why has our relationship with that person become so important to us?
In our book, “Be Your Own Brand,” my co-author and I outline three characteristics common to those who conjure up powerful images in the minds of others. In other words, they have strong personal brands.
Distinctive: Strong brands stand for something—they have a point of view. Your brand becomes strong when you decide what you believe in—your values—and commit to acting on those beliefs. The result: character and integrity.
Relevant: Strong brands focus on and connect to what others see as important. You attract attention from others when they determine that you care about them—that what’s important to them is important to you. The result: You become the brand of choice—the “go to” person.
Consistent: Strong brands repeatedly exhibit behaviors that build trust and credibility. As people cannot see inside of us, they make judgments based on our actions, not our intentions. The result: Your reputation attracts other powerful relationships into your life.
The myth of building a strong personal brand is that you have to pretend to be something other than yourself. Nothing could be further from the truth. The way to make a distinctive, positive impression on someone else is to ensure that who you are, what you say you are, and what that person experiences from you are the same time and time again.
David McNally, CPAE, is the CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) of TransForm Corporation. Elected to the Speakers Hall of Fame by the National Speakers Association (NSA), McNally is the author of the bestselling books, “Even Eagles Need a Push—Learning to Soar in a Changing World,” “The Eagle’s Secret—Success Strategies for Thriving at Work and in Life,” and “The Push—Unleashing the Power of Encouragement.” His co-authored book, “Be Your OWN Brand,” is used by many business schools to address the importance of building a strong personal brand. McNally’s books have been translated into 12 different languages and developed into corporate training programs that have been released in more than 20 countries. TransForm works with organizations to develop purposeful leaders who build inspired organizations and iconic brands. Clients include Ameriprise, Areva, Conway, Delta Airlines, Pulte Homes, and Thrivent. For more information, visit www.davidmcnally.com or e-mail info@transformcorp.com.
