Accomplished leaders talk a lot about the importance of building a personal brand.
It’s so important, in fact, it’s an entire course within the Kellogg on Branding Executive Education program at Northwestern University and the topic of countless podcasts and e-learning courses.
I recently took on a new role within an unfamiliar organization so my own personal brand has been top of mind.
At my previous employer, where I had spent more than half of my career, I was a known entity. For better or worse, the opinions people had formed of me and my efforts were well-earned over more than a decade of hard work, personal maturity, professional growth, and my occasional self-deprecating humor.
At ITHAKA? Not so much. Being invited to join the team is a great vote of confidence, but as an experienced hiring manager I know all too well it is also a leap of faith.
This week, I had an opportunity to meet my local colleagues in our Ann Arbor location and settle into my office there. While we are still primarily virtual for now with plans for a hybrid future, I felt pressure to bring something of myself into the space.
I sorted through my boxes from Gale which had been relegated to the closet of my home office for months. What should make the cut to this fresh new place?
And there it was. My toilet paper.
Now, what kind of person intentionally associates toilet paper with their own personal brand? Go ahead, ask.
15 or so years ago, my boyfriend (now husband) was in field sales and on the road 75% of the time. He’s quite sentimental — also hilarious — and would send me pictures or bring home souvenirs of my name/brand in the wild. Trail mix, rocks, airplanes…
This toilet paper, acquired from a gas station in the middle of nowhere Midwest, is my forever favorite.
Harmony: Soft and Strong
It’s perfect.
I’m soft. I’ve always been sensitive to my own emotions and the feelings of others. It’s a great strength, frequent weakness, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world — because it’s why I’m strong.
I’m strong. I’ll be a champion where it’s needed. I’m not afraid to use my voice to advocate for the customer, the user, my team, or what I think is best for the business.
And over time, let’s face it, as an executive (and a young female one, at that) — I’ve learned to handle a fair amount of sh…. ;)
What’s YOUR personal brand? Is there an item or phrase that resonates with you? I’d love to hear what represents your current or aspirational brand.
And if you’d ever like to chat about it, drop me a line! In the meantime, I’ll just be over here, delivering comfortable quality and unbeatable value.
