There are many elements that go into building your personal brand. Being active on social networks, participating in LinkedIn discussions, attending in-person networking events and maybe even having a blog. Yet your name hasn’t become synonymous with the greatness you envisioned. You are working harder not smarter.
Could it be that you are neglecting your own backyard?
Relationships are important in personal branding especially those whom you work with daily. Lending a helping hand, providing mentoring and showing gratitude will help you build lasting relationships with people you may not think can be of value to you.
Why do people forget about their own backyard?
- They gloss over a new hire or someone in a junior position because they are blinded by their current stature.
- They are insecure or lack self-confidence and quickly dismiss other peoples intelligence.
- They may be blinded by envy because someone else got the promotion or new assignment that they wanted and thought they deserved.
- Worst of all, they may feel they are the smartest person in the room and so they tune everyone else out.
By ignoring these people you may be putting yourself at a disadvantage in the future. The worst part about ignoring your own backyard is that it is the easiest and least expensive component to personal branding. All it requires is a little bit of your time and your gratitude.
The worst mistake to make in personal branding is…
to not realize that you never know who someone is, who they influence or who they will become. You think you are strategic in who you decide to get to know and who you will build relationships with and then you decide to ignore everyone else.
Sometimes, sooner rather than later, you may find that those you chose to ignore now have the position and influence that could have lifted you up. If only you had genuinely valued their thoughts, comments, input and views. If only you had established a relationship with them could it have translated into the introductions and referrals your personal brand needs.
Personal branding relies on others to help you grow and expand. Avoid the worst mistake in personal branding, start treating everyone as if they are an important influencer.
Last updated on March 5th, 2018 at 07:35 am
