Branding and image consulting are terms we’ve no doubt heard, typically in the context of marketing. Have you thought about your brand? No, I am not talking about the company for which you work—I am talking about YOU!

What is your brand, your leadership image? Are you respected because you’ve earned it or are you feared because of your title? What is the first thing your people think about when your name comes up?

Some of us may say that we don’t care about what others think about me. Really, is that really true?As leaders, our primary task is to motivate and influence others toward a vision and/or goal. If others are not buying our brand, then we don’t really have followers.

How can we consciously create our leadership brand? Follow these 5 simple steps:

• Intentionally determine what you want your brand to represent.

• Reverse engineer the steps necessary to develop and create that brand image.

• Be accountable to doing the work – find an accountability partner or coach who will be honest about your progress and a resource when you are stuck.

• Be vulnerable and do spot checks with others to see if you are on the right track (in other words—ask!).

• Celebrate your successes along the way.

Please share your progress and ahas! I love hearing from you.

With love,

Maria