Why Invest In Personal Branding?

Mark introduces the topic and explains that he and Jim will be guided in this episode by an article Jim read in Fast Company. Here's a link to the article Mark suggests personal branding begins with self reflection Jim enters with reference to the self and self promotion in specific.  He shares his opinion about self promotion and how society feels very different about personal branding. Then he takes us around the flywheel and the 5 areas of life Then Jim focuses in on worldview and asks whether one's worldview should be part of a personal brand Mark shares his views about being entrepreneurs and personal brands. He says he's always branded himself and presented to the world his personal strengths. He tells a story about his last employer who purchased his company told him not to sell himself, but to sell her brand. He expands on his view of this Jim starts to share the main points of the article which are common myths about personal branding #1 is that it's selfish Both guys share that they were raised not to brag and self promote If we don't brand ourselves then we get branded by others. Mark tells his story about breaking out from imposter syndrome and his journey into branding himself #2 It's loud and obnoxious. Mark talks about his sales journey and helping people sell themselves Jim cites the choices of being an influencer or a thought leader. Mark has chosen thought leader and shares his position on selling Jim says he's recently committed to his own personal brand #3 It's fake and disingenuous. Mark talks about how he was raised to be polite and respectful and being authentic #4 It's only for senior leaders and C suite executives. Both guys agree that this is no longer the case. Mark talks about a current client and the team he is working with Jim reads a bit from the article Mark goes back to worldview and shares his opinion on sharing his politics online as part of his brand Jim shares his view of bringing politics into any conversation with someone outside his circle of friends…particularly here in Northern California Mark goes into his politics and says either way is ok if you're prepared for the consequences. He's decided to go all in and be transparent about his views and how he responds with what he thinks is practical The guys disagree on this issue Jim thinks it's not worth discussing politics with those on the fringe, right or left Mark takes a different stance Mark wishes everyone, including Trump would stop calling people names..it's childish Jim agrees and says it was funny and now it's sad Mark doesn't care about the person, but only what they stand for Mark talks about the power of questions and his experience speaking civily with people who are opposed to his views Mark runs around the wheel again in the context of how he begins client sessions with deep personal questions Jim identifies that Mark spent his entire career helping people grow their personal brand Jim is curious about Mark's experience with this Mark frames it in the context of aligning the candidates worldview and the company culture Mark share his story about the prospect with the BLM LinkedIn profile banner The guys have a chuckle Mark talks about how important a LinkedIn profile is in the personal branding journey Jim asks Mark who should help you write your LinkedIn profile Mark shares his answer