As you step into leadership role, it's natural to wonder how you should present yourself and what persona you should embody. While it's easy to get inspiration from other leaders and essential to learn from their experiences, it's equally important to stay true to yourself and embrace your unique personality. Your personal brand should reflect who you are as a leader and what you stand for.
Your personal brand is what sets you apart and builds trust and authenticity with your team.
Here are some helpful strategies to help you craft your personal brand as a new leader:
Build Your Self-Awareness
Take the time for introspection and reflection. What are your strengths, values, and passions? What leadership style feels most authentic to you? What do you want your leadership to be known for? There are also self-assessment tools to help you get even more in-depth knowledge into your character. Only YOU can answer those questions and they invite you to truly discover your authentic self, which is the first step in shaping your personal brand.
Define Your Values
Your values are the guiding principles that inform your decisions and actions. Identify what matters most to you as a leader and ensure your behavior aligns with these values. Share your values with the team, and you will notice that when values are aligned – it's easier to tune out the noise and get everyone rowing in the same direction. Consistency in upholding your values builds credibility and trust among your team.
Be Genuine
Authenticity is key to building meaningful connections with your team. Don't try to mimic the leadership styles of others. Instead, be genuine and let your true self shine through. We’re talking small talk. Engaging in conversations around things other than work-related topics will help you get to know your team members and peers and allow them to see your non-work side. What people are really looking for in these conversations is a way to find things they have in common with their co-workers. People are more likely to follow leaders who are real and relatable.
Communicate Effectively
Your communication style plays a significant role in shaping your personal brand. Whether it's through verbal or written communication, be clear, concise, and transparent – and ensure it matches the messages you deliver. When people know what’s going on and are kept in the loop, they are less likely to act defensively. Listen actively to your team members and foster open dialogue.
Lead by Example
Actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate your values and leadership principles through your behavior. If you believe in work/life balance, then act in accordance with someone who does. If you give your team members to be innovative and take risks, then don’t be hard on them for taking calculated risks if it doesn’t work out. This is a great area to ask for feedback on because this is easily a blind spot for many leaders.
Seek Feedback
Speaking of feedback, continuously seek it from a wide cross-section of your team members, peers, and mentors. Ask for constructive criticism and be open to learning and growth – and then create a plan to act on it. Feedback is one of the most invaluable tools in refining your personal brand and enhancing your leadership effectiveness, as it reflects your current team’s needs and wants.
Stay Authentic
When you have a firm awareness around these factors, it is so much easier to be confident in your role as a first-time leader and stand firmly when making important decisions. While you may have assumed that taking on a leadership role entails becoming someone you are not, quite the opposite is true. A leadership journey is often a portal into the world of self-improvement and alignment. In fact, strong, effective and long-standing leaders understand this very well – and it helps them stand steady when faced with challenges.
Don't feel pressured to conform to a certain leadership archetype. Embrace your uniqueness and let your authentic self be your most powerful asset to not only help you function, but also stand out, as an amazing leader – and inspire others to do the same.
If you are looking for a more customized leadership development experience, leadership coaching may be the better option to get you to your professional development goals faster. Book a complimentary “Discovery Call” to discuss your goals and see if working with a leadership coach might be the way to go.