Elevating Your Brand on the Leader Board

In today’s connected world, personal branding has levelled up from being a self-promotion tool to building trust-and-influence. Whether you’re leading small or big team, the ability to inspire action ultimately rests on being real, relatable, consistent and trusted.

Personal branding refers to the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence public perception. It involves differentiating yourself from the rest and, shaping the narrative around who you are as a leader, what you stand for, and the value you bring to your organisation and community.

Beyond trust, personal branding also plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent. Talent is drawn to organisations with inspiring and relatable leaders. They feel connected to leaders who can clearly communicate their vision, passion, and purpose, creating an environment where they feel inspired and motivated to excel. This connection helps build trust within teams and fosters long-term people engagement.

Externally, a leader with a well-established personal brand is often seen as a thought leader, which can open doors to speaking engagements, media features, and partnerships. Leaders who align their brand with social causes or emerging industry trends can expand their influence beyond their organisation, driving change on a larger scale.

However, it is not enough for leaders to simply develop a personal brand; they must communicate authentically, transparently and humanely. And, for this to happen, leaders should begin by staying true to their values which guide their decisions and behaviours, thereby making them  trustworthy.

Another key component of authentic communication is the willingness to show vulnerability. Leaders who acknowledge their challenges and mistakes are seen as more human and relatable. This is not about being weak, but rather about being open about the personal growth journey and the lessons learned from setbacks. This transparency fosters stronger connections and encourages people to take risks and learn from their own mistakes.

Leaders must also listen more than they speak. This fosters deeper connections with both internal and external stakeholders, making people feel valued and heard. Internally, listening helps leaders understand the concerns, motivations, and aspirations of their people, allowing them to create a more supportive and motivating work environment. Externally, it helps leaders understand the needs and expectations of clients, partners, and other key stakeholders, which can inform strategic decisions.

One of the most effective ways to communicate authentically is through storytelling. Leaders who can articulate their personal experiences, challenges, and successes in a narrative form are more likely to resonate with their audience. Storytelling has the power to evoke emotions, which are key drivers of connection. Leaders should leverage storytelling in team meetings, public speeches, and even on social media platforms to convey their vision, inspire their teams, and engage with external audiences.

Finally, leaders need to ensure consistency across channels. In today’s digital age, leaders communicate across various platforms—social media, emails, public speaking, and face-to-face interactions. Authentic leaders maintain consistency in their messaging, ensuring that their personal brand remains aligned with their core values and leadership style across all mediums. Consistency fosters trust and reinforces the leader’s credibility, ensuring that both internal and external audiences view them as trustworthy and reliable.

In conclusion, personal branding has become a necessity for leaders in the modern world. Authentic communication is the key to building a strong personal brand. Leaders who embrace these values and communicate well will not only build lasting relationships but also inspire trust, loyalty, and influence that extends far beyond their immediate circle.

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Shilpi Jain

Shilpi Jain heads the corporate communication function at IPE Global. She is a communication professional holding two decades of experience, responsible for developing cohesive messaging and multi-channel communication strategy, which elevates the company’s reputation, performance, and connection with people. Having worked in the Corporate space, Shilpi transitioned into the development sector in 2010 and spearheaded communication activities for the Government of India, International Aid organisations, and philanthropies. Prior to joining IPE Global, she worked with National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), where she developed their digital media strategy and also supported several e-Campaigns. At WaterAid India, she successfully managed the India Sanitation Portal, launched at the South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN) 2008 by the then Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath Chatterjee. She worked for nearly a decade with NIIT Limited and led several projects. She was given the Excellence Award in 2006 for creating a nation-wise Testing Certification platform.