The experts will tell us to build, project and market our personal brands. I do not necessarily think that is the crux of the deal – to wake up, with the nexus of finding ways to “sell” an image to the world. As an engineer, I understand the constructs of root cause analysis where the foundations are evidently catalytic for sustained success.
Personal brand built on marketing fails because while you can get the horse to the water, you may struggle to get it to drink. In other words, I challenge you to build foundations for authentic relationships to cushion your reputation. Simply, go for authentic personality.
Human relationships which endure are never transactional, unlike product-brands which you can buy, use, and move on. The implication is that those who become authentic thrive over time. The modern virality of personal brand is largely ephemeral because without that authenticity, that reputation cannot be sustained.
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What is authenticity? Earning your laurels in absolute objectivity; everyone sees and knows it. Your personality becomes durable, unlike transient brands which sparkle like the acid and base experiment which causes effervescence in chemistry labs in secondary schools.
Work hard to elevate your authenticity, not just to market your personal brand, and if you do so well, many will recommend you in your absence. The greatest among us do not build personal brands; they’re authentic personalities and that is why they’re durable in our minds!
Comment on Feed
Comment 1: Never read any wiser post than this.
Whenever I see people try to pick a personality type, wear a red cap or so on to stand out (or be LIKED) I am always turned off. The outside mask we put on will fall off under pressure.
That said, “Human relationships which endure are never transactional, unlike product-brands which you can buy, use, and move on.”
Comment 2: Building authentic personality that transcends time and ages is a life long project, it will be intentionally built on our core values and they must align with our character, attitude and principles that hinges on the above…well said prof
Comment 3: Your perspective on every matter is always worth a read. Even when not conclusive, it provides intentionally molded lego bricks to build upon. Thank you Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe.
The following are some suggestions on how to build a professional online persona. It is establishing your web personality (webinality) to explain that person you are. Yet, that does not mean authentic personality.
Presence: Open at least one social media or blog account.
Specialize: Define an area of interest and build around it. A five-minute online search should reveal what you represent. You need to differentiate yourself and showcase your core skills and unique capabilities to potential hiring managers.
Accuracy: Always remember that once that post goes online, you may not control who sees it. If you lie on your accomplishments, your classmate or co-worker is just an IP address away from challenging it. Make it accurate – always, otherwise, you will destroy your persona.
Comprehensive: While blog should be short, once in a while, develop comprehensive articles in your field and post them online. It could mean expanding a class project you worked on, adding more contents, and fully proving your expertise. Half-baked contents will not take you too far.
Judgment: What you post or share online defines who you are. Your profile defines you – values, interests and reliability. For employers, they want reliable team leaders and you must not offer less in your web personality.
Vertical Integration: Seek to connect with people ahead of you professionally while building a horizontally network.
Generosity: Share and exchange good ideas. Invite people to your network and be generous to promote good ideas from others. Write professional reviews on books, journals and articles. In no distant time, people will reward you.
Policy Matters: If you are working, ensure you adhere to policies on using the company’s name online. There is a threat that you could be a source of data leakage that can hurt competitiveness. Your profile must not be another portrait of your employer – you must be wise to separate both, where necessary.
Continuity: Professional online branding is a continuous work-in-progress that requires constant tune-ups of networks, contents and profiles. It must be constantly nurtured.
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In other words, move beyond the facades of appearance and build good moral character. Develop your personality, base it on truth and not on appearances.
Authentic people are rare breeds, lucky are you if you ever encounter them in your lifetime…