The “who, what and why”
These are the key questions that you need to ask yourself.
What is your personal “why”? That is, what inspires you to do the work you do? This might change over time and that is okay.
Self-discovery
Understand yourself first. Self-discovery and finding your purpose are great starting points.
Being authentic
Your brand should be authentic to who you are and not trying to be someone who you’re not.
Don’t be afraid to tell your story. Your unique story is your gateway to your authentic self.
The term personal branding might be scary but it’s all about how you tell your story and what you care about/ what you are working on.
Getting Started
Even if you don’t know much, just start. You have an advantage when you don’t know much.
Re-invent yourself and re-innovate along the way.
Always stay focused. No issue is too small to start working on and tell the world.
Focus on Content
Often people focus more on the brand than the content. Don’t focus more on the brand but on the content/substance.
Personal Branding and Consistency
Personal branding has a lot to do with consistency, even in times of limitations related to access to networks or resources.
Things take time-just be consistent
Sometimes a really good idea takes a decade before you get to the full impact. Its consistency that matters.
Leverage your brand
In your professional journey, leverage personal branding to take your career to the next level. Your brand is your resume. After your resume, people will get attention from your brand and your brand will speak for itself.
Networking and your career Journey
Don’t only think about ‘networking’ as an instrument to know people for a specific end goal. Rather enjoy meeting people, have real relationships. Don’t only use your network to get, but to also give.
Through establishing a personal brand, you meet the key people who work along your path, people who are on the same journey as you.
Taking Risks
Take risks. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t
Own the space
If there is a space you don’t find, just create your own.
Thumbnail Picture by Felicity Tai from Pexels
Hero Image by Mikael Blomkvist from Pexels
Brighton Musevenzo is an Atlas Corps Fellow, serving at the American Red Cross, as a Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (DMREL) Fellow in support of the International Services Department. He can be reached on brighton.musevenzo@atlascorps.org
