Culture Community Recap: How Thought Leadership & Personal Branding Fuel Company Culture
In the realm of professional growth & company success, personal branding & thought leadership have emerged as key players. In a captivating presentation during our January 2024 Culture Community event, Mel Ripp, the visionary founder & CEO of Peapod Marketing & PR Consulting, shared profound insights into these skills. Mel fervently believes that everyone possesses the insights & expertise to become a thought leader, with a special emphasis on empowering women entrepreneurs & executives who may have hesitated to spotlight themselves for various reasons.
What's Personal Branding All About?
The term "personal branding" has been buzzing around for the past five years, often intertwined with thought leadership, social media influence, & the characteristics associated with Generation Z. Stripping away the jargon, personal branding revolves around promoting what's already unique to you—core values, skills, personality, tone, voice, life experiences, & more.
Differentiating Personal Branding & Thought Leadership
Forbes defines a thought leader as "an individual that their prospects, clients, referral sources, intermediaries, & even competitors recognize as one of the foremost authorities in a selected area of expertise." In simpler terms, it's about becoming the go-to person in a particular field. Thought leadership involves possessing a strong, unique perspective, consistently showcasing it, & connecting with people through it.
Each of these skill sets brings advantages for both individuals & organizations:
For Individuals:
Expands influence & visibility in the market or community.
Establishes credibility & cultivates a community.
Expands access to people, resources, & opportunities.
Strengthens the ability to craft a legacy & make a meaningful impact.
For Organizations:
Boosts trust in the company.
Enables leaders to share information on behalf of the company.
Enhances visibility for employees, leaders, customers, investors, & job seekers.
What to Know As You Build Your Brand
Boost Trust Through Individual Voices: People tend to trust individuals more than brands or companies. Sharing knowledge at all levels contributes significantly to building trust.
Find the Balance Between Authenticity & Value Alignment: We know the hesitancy some employees may feel about embracing thought leadership due to lack of encouragement or uncertainty about company approval. However, when you align your personal platforms with company values & balance personal & company brands effectively it catalyzes impact in a way that feels authentic. Navigating company guidelines while expressing individual perspectives is crucial.
Cultivate Thought Leadership at All Levels: The idea that thought leadership is reserved for high-level executives is a misconception. Everyone has the capacity for thought leadership. If you’d like to know more about the seven foundational questions to help individuals explore & develop your thought leadership, check out the full webinar here.
Develop a Unique Point of View: Think about your unique take on industry topics. Ask yourself questions like, “What is something I notice that no one is talking about?” “What do I wish was mentioned more frequently?” “What have I learned from my unique experience or journey?” Sometimes even a "spicy take" or controversial opinion can help thought leadership stand out & spark meaningful conversations.
Understand Your Audience: Consider the intersections of your audience, whether they are industry leaders, potential employees, or individuals at various career stages. Ensure you identify the specific audience you hope will resonate with your thoughts & perspectives. While it’s first important to know your own values & perspective first, follow that up with an understanding of who you will be talking to when you share.
Share Personal Stories: Stories hook people & help us connect with each other. They are compelling ways to demonstrate experiences, learnings, & insights so that others can feel them deeply. Start with a story whenever possible, & it will help put your insights or ideas into context that others can relate to or understand.
Be Aware of Your Comfort Level: Not everyone is immediately comfortable with sharing expertise publicly, & that is absolutely okay. Be realistic about how comfortable you feel with various social media platforms, public speaking, writing, & video, & start with options that feel most accessible for you. The possibilities range from internal discussions to public speaking engagements & everything in between!
You Can Do This!
Remember:
Thought leadership is not an ego trip, but is instead the act of sharing genuine expertise.
Start small, stay curious, test ideas, & don't get discouraged by initial engagement metrics.
Inject your personality & stories into thought leadership to make it relatable & engaging.
By embracing your unique qualities, sharing authentic stories, & staying true to your values, you can embark on a journey that not only enhances your professional standing but also contributes to the growth & trust of your company. The road to thought leadership begins with the courage to share your expertise & the commitment to make a lasting impact.
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Pssst...I LOVE connecting with & growing my community! Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn - see you there! 🤗
