Last week, I had the honor of speaking at a fantastic program started by the incredibly talented Andrea Markstrom, CIO of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP. The group – i.WILL (Inspiring Women Igniting Leadership and Learning) – has a mission to help women advance in their careers— and it was a privilege to be part of it.
I joined Nicole Petrie, Kathryn Lancioni and Rebecca M. to share thoughts on personal branding, something I’ve been researching a lot these days – specifically as it applies to how professionals build practices.
Here are a few datapoints I shared:
Your personal brand isn’t a slogan or a logo.
Think of it like a Venn diagram. (Yes, those two overlapping circles from elementary school.)
One circle is what you intend people to believe about you.
The other is what they actually believe.
Your real brand lives in the overlap.
You can’t control everyone’s perceptions — and that’s okay.
Some people will have their own biases or preconceived notions. You can’t win them all — and you shouldn’t try.
Focus on the values you have, the market you want to develop and how you get those attributes across.
Micro-behaviors matter more than you think.
How you greet the waitress. How you thank someone after a meeting. How you respond to emails.
It’s the small, daily actions that quietly but powerfully shape your brand.
Having a great LinkedIn profile and being mentioned in the media is helpful for name recognition, but it’s only a small part of the equation.
Executive presence can be strengthened — with practice.
A study from 2019 showed that 82% of professionals — including doctors, lawyers, and executives — have experienced imposter syndrome.
When nerves hit, remind yourself of your experience and strength.
Create a list of those things that you’ve accomplished that have brought you to where you are today.
And yes — I believe in Amy Cuddy’s principle of power poses. Before a big meeting, adopt an expansive posture for a few minutes. It really works.
Be authentic.
At the end of the day, no amount of clever social media can cover up for being unkind or disingenuous.
Focus on what truly matters to you — whether it’s supporting others, your own well-being, or simply building a business.
Values may evolve, but authenticity remains essential.
