Building Your Own Leadership Brand

As leaders or up-and-coming leaders in our companies, communities and families, we know that surrounding ourselves with smart, confident people is the key to creating effective teams. Setting high standards for ourselves and others, and always looking for ways to improve ourselves, is key as well. How we build our own leadership brand is vital, and the reason that people see us as leaders in the first place. And why they look to us for advice, mentorship and direction. Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way to build a successful leadership brand.

Recognize who you are. First, ask yourself who you are. Are you a take no prisoners and shoot from the hip leader, or one who gathers information and deliberates before taking action? Do you draw on your own experience and instincts when facing an issue, or seek collaboration? Somewhere in between? When you understand and own your own style, you’re better able to evaluate how well it works with your people. Adaptability to people and circumstances is a hallmark of a good leader. In fact, being flexible and open to meeting people where they are is your number one job as the person in charge.

Take a leadership inventory. If you’re uncertain about, have never considered or need a refresher on your own leadership style, take a leadership inventory to understand your strengths, weaknesses and how they impact your role. There are online leadership style assessments you can take for free, but think about sitting with a professional organizational development person, your HR department or a business coach who can run you through a comprehensive assessment of your skills and preferred ways of being in the world. These professionals can help you interpret the results and how you can implement them to improve your skills.

Get real. Leaders must possess strong self-awareness. That is, they must understand their own core expertise, experience and credibility, and where they fall short or need improvement. Where are you ahead of the competition in your industry or organization? Where do you fall behind and could use some study or course corrections? You don’t have to be all things to all people, but you should recognize where you shine and where you need polish.

Find a mentor. Every successful leader has had someone or someones in their corner who can help them understand their blind spots and where opportunities and challenges lie. Finding a mentor usually isn’t difficult either. Look at the larger business world for role models, mentors and coaches. Consider joining a peer group network to gain a larger perspective on what makes a leader successful in different organizations. Then use what you’ve learned to improve your own leadership abilities within your own company.

Create your narrative: What’s your unique story as a leader? Steve Jobs positioned himself as an innovator in technology. Warren Buffet relies on his image as a down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is person to run one of the most successful companies in the world. People listened and still listen to them and their stories. Once you’ve found your unique narrative, keep it simple and share your point of view and insights from that position.

Now tell it: Start telling your story to your employees and customers – the thing that makes you unique as a leader. Use social media, newsletters, blogging and letters to the editor to explore ways of getting the word out. Find hot button issues and share your perspective, always staying consistent with your unique message. People follow leaders because they want to be inspired and motivated. Inspire and motivate them with your story.

Give back: Part of being a leader is acting like one. That means mentoring or assisting people in your organization, and contributing to the success of your industry and community. Serve on committees and boards. Sponsor business and non-profit group activities. Spend time nurturing the next generation of leaders, wherever you find them.

Leaders come in all shapes, styles, and forms. When you stop to think about some of the leaders that have inspired you, or even some that have made you mad, you’ll be able to identify the qualities of good leadership. And those that you find ineffective and don’t want to model. When you use these tips to build your own leadership brand, and you’ll be successful in demonstrating to others that you’re a leader worth following. Just sayin’.