Build Your Chief of Staff Brand
Is it a fashion faux pas to wear a suit and tie with shorts? Some people can pull it off but it's definitely a choice. That bold choice is how they brand themselves.
So, my fellow Chiefs of Staff, we want to talk to you about how branding can help you on job. Your executive presence and how you show up every day will constitute your personal brand at work. Every stakeholder impression of your Chief of Staff services will affect your brand. So stay conscious about how you fit in with your company’s culture.
Are you more structured while others are more free flowing? Are you more conservative in your attire while others wear t-shirts and flip flops? Think: What are the keywords that you want associated with you as an executive business partner? Trustworthy, dependable, execution oriented, strategic, creative…?
Finally, who are your leadership role models? What's your leadership style? What's your brand of leadership? And don’t forget, it’s never too late to evolve your identity. Who do you want to become and why?
Once you answer these questions, you can create your own development path to becoming the leader you've always wanted to be.
Remember, with every internal and external stakeholder interaction, you can assess whether or not your brand has strengthened or weakened. With stakeholders whom you would like to maintain an exceptionally strong relationship, pay special attention to your interactions with them.
If there is an issue that comes up, proactively protect your reputation and address the problem so that your brand doesn’t suffer. Studies show that the optimal ratio is 5 positive interactions to 1 negative interaction to maintain healthy relationships.
In sum, complete this thought exercise and get started in building your brand at work.
PS Start posting on LinkedIn weekly to build your reputation online. Your content pillars should be your Chief of Staff and your newfound brand identity.
Connect with me on LinkedIn here to explore how refining your personal brand and executive presence can enhance your impact as a Chief of Staff and align you with your company’s culture.
