When I first started talking about Personal Branding the major feedback was: this concept looks amazing but do you think it would work for me?
I wondered what caused this reaction in such a social media globalised society where people are closely in touch with world trends and cultural influences; impacting their lifestyles in fashion, luxury, music, ‘guruship’, thought-leadership. So, when adopting a new “trend” which was Personal Branding, what could be the hic point?
Personal Branding? : I love the concept!
At first sight people love the idea to get promoted and be put in the limelight, they love the idea of “uniqueness” in a renewed society where ’’no rule rules” in order to stand out, they love the idea to be successful based on their merit, they love the idea to be able to manage their careers in a pro-active way, they love the idea of accessing notoriety for personal success.
...But ...
But there was reluctance in the process itself: “What would people think of me if they ever knew that I am getting help in order to develop my personal brand? How would people perceive the fact that I communicate in person without looking like a tagged influencer? Wouldn’t that be too much show-off?
Plus, I have built and acquired a professional image that allows me to be seen amongst those who have succeeded, even if I am not really fulfilled, and I am giving up on my passions, and my high-hopes are elsewhere…
Plus, would I need the whole society to think like me in order for it to be successful?
Identity, authenticity and differentiation: Ok let’s do it!
Authenticity, identity and differentiation, those were the words which attracted people who said: Yes, let’s do it!
Knowing that they could assert themselves through their uniqueness, their singular identity, and stand out by communicating authentically about their vocation combined with who they are, they attempted the adventure successfully.
Successfully, because despite all the reluctance, when they reviewed and renewed their personal perception of themselves by extracting their singularity and identifying their holistic professional positioning, they naturally loved to communicate about themselves.
We are in a culture of acknowledgements so, in order to get it, let it know ... authentically.
They understood that image is overall a question of communicating authentically about one’s unique promise of value, which is at the end offering to others help and service ... isn’t solidarity part of our culture after all?
After having grasped all of this, they finally loved to see themselves through differentiation, what their assets were and how they could count on them to walk all the way through the red carpet.
Definitely, the great shift is in how we do look at ourselves in times of change and looking at personal image through authentic communication.
@MalakOussidhoum
Comments