Have you ever wondered what it takes to truly stand out in your field? With over 62,000 interviews under her belt, Sharon Livingston, a seasoned psychologist and researcher, offers unparalleled insights into the art of personal branding.
Whether you're a CTO or a senior technical leader, understanding and developing your personal brand can be a game-changer. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Sharon on my podcast, and her wisdom was too valuable not to share. In this blog post, I'll distill the key takeaways from our conversation and show you how to apply them to your career.
Video Interview
You can watch the video on YouTube or below:
The Power of Presence
One of the first things Sharon highlighted was the importance of presence. In her vast experience, she noticed that only a few individuals truly stood out, and it wasn't always because of their words.
"There was this one person who walked in with the most unbelievable blonde hair. It was a guy with long blonde hair. And he had a presence," Sharon recalled. "He didn't have a lot to say, but that was his one saving grace. And that's what I remember."
Presence isn't just about physical appearance; it's about how you carry yourself and the energy you bring into a room. As a technical leader, your presence can significantly impact how others perceive you and how effectively you can lead your team.
Crafting Your Personal Brand
Sharon introduced a powerful exercise to help uncover and define your personal brand: repeatedly asking, "Who are you?" This simple yet profound question can reveal deeper layers of your identity.
"I'm a redhead. I'm a woman. I'm a psychologist. I'm a wife. I'm a stepmother," Sharon demonstrated. "But then you say, okay, that's great. But I want you to fill that sentence in for another minute."
This exercise helps you move beyond surface-level traits and delve into what truly defines you. For example, you might start with, "I'm a CTO," but as you dig deeper, you might uncover qualities like resilience, creativity, or a passion for mentoring.
Building Consistency
Consistency is crucial in personal branding. Sharon emphasized that every aspect of your public persona should align with your core message. This includes your LinkedIn profile, website, blog posts, and any other content you produce.
"Everything has to be consistent, like the look of your website, the whole idea of persevering, and what does persevering look like?" Sharon explained. "I would have all kinds of graphics that look like perseverance, that hardworking, they're going to get the job done."
Consistency not only reinforces your brand but also builds trust with your audience. When people see that your actions, appearance, and communications all align, they are more likely to remember and trust you.
The Role of Storytelling
Sharon is a strong advocate for using storytelling to illustrate your personal brand. Stories make your brand relatable and memorable. They provide concrete examples of how you embody your brand's values.
"You have a bunch of blog posts that they can go to from your website, but your website is about perseverance and persevere with them," she advised. "You are that caregiving, hardworking, persevering helper that's going to make sure that they get what they need."
Think about significant moments in your career where you demonstrated your core qualities. Sharing these stories on your blog, LinkedIn, or during speaking engagements can make your brand more vivid and compelling.
Leveraging Different Mediums
A robust personal brand isn't confined to one platform. Sharon recommends leveraging various mediums to spread your message, such as writing a book, maintaining a blog, or starting a YouTube channel.
"People have more of a presence. They have more of that persona when they have a book," she noted. "You write it, but you have someone who moves you along, and then you've got your book."
A book can serve as a powerful tool to establish authority and attract speaking engagements. Similarly, regular blog posts or YouTube videos can keep your audience engaged and showcase your expertise.
Human Connection
In the realm of technical leadership, it's easy to focus solely on skills and expertise. However, Sharon reminds us that human connection is equally important.
"What's most important is that they're human. And lots of times you're spending time alone. The higher up you get, the lonelier you get," she shared. "To remember that you're talking to real-life human beings."
Building strong relationships with your team, peers, and clients can set you apart as a leader. Showing empathy, being approachable, and actively listening can make a significant difference.
Practical Steps to Enhance Your Brand
- Evaluate Your Online Presence: Start by reviewing your LinkedIn profile. Ensure it reflects your current role, achievements, and the qualities you want to highlight.
- Consistent Messaging: Align all your communications with your core message. This includes your website, blog posts, and social media profiles.
- Tell Your Story: Identify key moments in your career that illustrate your core qualities. Share these stories across different platforms.
- Engage with Your Audience: Comment on LinkedIn posts, participate in relevant discussions, and connect with other professionals in your field.
- Leverage Multiple Platforms: Consider writing a book, maintaining a blog, or starting a YouTube channel to expand your reach.
- Stay Human: Remember the importance of empathy and connection. Show genuine interest in others and be approachable.
Final Thoughts
Personal branding is not just about showcasing your skills; it's about conveying who you are and what you stand for. Sharon Livingston's insights provide a roadmap for developing a compelling and authentic personal brand. By being consistent, telling your story, and connecting on a human level, you can build a brand that not only stands out but also resonates deeply with your audience.
If you would like to get in touch with Sharon and learn more about her work, visit her website at SharonLivingston-phd.com
