Many Millennials (aka: Gen Y) are currently finding themselves in a very challenging situation at work. The good news for Millennials is that, due to major generational shifts, they are being moved into management and leadership roles faster and sooner than generations before them were. The challenging news is that 50% of Millennials surveyed believe their organizations could do more to develop their future leaders (The 2014 Deloitte Millennial Survey).
The Deloitte survey also unveils other results that prove Millennials want more help and support in developing their leadership skills. The bottom-line? We have millions of Millennials currently in, or soon entering, the workforce who need to rely on themselves for “leadership training.” So, as a Millennial employee, what’s the first step you should take?
The foundation to becoming an effective leader (even as an entry-level manager) is to focus on creating, developing and managing your Personal Brand in the workforce. But, what is Personal Branding? Short answer: A strong Personal Brand allows all that’s strong and effective about your personal and professional style to become known (in a deliberate and managed way) to your colleagues up, down, and across the organization, thus enabling you to generate maximum value and unique “distinction” for yourself.
And, as with product or company branding, if you do not take control of developing, establishing, and managing your Personal Brand, and actually put some thought into it versus just letting it happen organically, other people will do it for you…and it may not always be accurate or personally favorable.
So how can it help you achieve the career success you desire? Here are three valid reasons why focusing on developing and managing a Personal Brand is critical to your professional journey:
It Gives You Clarity
Personal Branding is all about increased self-awareness by: acknowledging your weaknesses (such as having a bad temper or being a poor communicator), making the necessary changes to improve yourself, and by also understanding your strengths. You have to know “who you are and who you aspire to be” in order to conduct yourself accordingly and effectively in any role; be it entry-level or a senior leadership position.
Improves Your Job Satisfaction
As you becomes clear on your Personal Brand, you become clearer on your personal and professional values. This normally leads to asking yourself things like: Am I in the right job or role? Do I even like what I do or should I make a career change? Does my Boss, or the Company, mesh with my Personal Brand values?
Those are all valid questions. Knowing the answers benefits you because it improves the odds of being at a company or in a position where you’re “truly happy to be”…and that is key to job satisfaction, and ultimately, to your performance.
Also, if you’re unemployed or actively job seeking, determining your Personal Brand will help you hone in on the companies, positions, and Boss’s that are best suited for you. There are many smart job candidates who turn down employment offers because they know it’s not the right fit with their Personal Brand.
Excels Your Advancement
As Consumers, we typically only buy (repeatedly) the brands we trust. This same concept applies to your Personal Brand. When you define and manage your brand at work, people will notice. And if you live it consistently, your co-workers and those above you, will know how you’ll react in any given situation thus developing trust in you. Just like a positive product brand, more people will “buy in” to you, and that increases your chances for promotions, getting more responsibility, and/or being chosen to work on high-profile projects.
In closing, you have to know “who you are and who you aspire to be” in order to perform in any role, at any level, effectively. Achieving this type of personal clarity will only benefit you…and everyone you work with now and in the future!
Lisa Orrell, CPC, is globally recognized as The Generations Relations & Leadership Expert. She’s an in demand Corporate and College Speaker, Thought Leader, Media Guest, and the Author of four popular business books. Her latest book, “Your Employee Brand is in Your Hands: How Any Employee Can Create and Promote Their Own Personal Leadership Brand for Massive Career Success!” is receiving 5-Star ratings on Amazon. Visit Lisa’s website to see her seminar and workshop topics, client list, and much more: TheOrrellGroup.com. Or contact her directly via email: Lisa@TheOrrellGroup.com.
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