Who Are You? Craft Your Personal Brand and Own Your Story
Define who you are, what you stand for, and the unique value you bring to take control of your career.
Hey there,
Let’s kick things off with a question: Who are you?
No, I’m not asking for your job title, your LinkedIn headline, or your list of responsibilities. I’m asking: What’s your story? What do you bring to the table that makes people excited to work with you? What do you stand for?
There was a time when I used to cringe at the phrase "personal brand." I thought it was just about posting on social media, sharing opinions on work-life balance, or broadcasting career highlights. And sure, those public-facing moments can play a role in personal branding. But real personal branding? It happens long before you ever hit “post.”
Personal branding is about how you show up every day—how people experience you in meetings, projects, and one-on-one conversations. It’s the feeling people associate with you. And the truth is, you already have a personal brand, whether you’re intentional about it or not. If you’re not defining it for yourself, others will do it for you.
Why Personal Branding Matters for Everyone
Let me be clear: personal branding isn’t just for CEOs or influencers. It’s for everyone. Whether you’re just starting your career or leading a team, having a clear personal brand helps you:
Define how others see you: If you don’t control the narrative, others will fill in the gaps.
Show your unique value: It lets people know why they should come to you for help or advice.
Build trust and open doors: Whether it’s new projects, promotions, or mentorship opportunities, people are more likely to reach out when they understand who you are and what you stand for.
Here’s the thing: without a personal brand, you leave people guessing. And when people guess, they make assumptions that may not align with how you see yourself. But when you define your personal brand, you take control of your career narrative. You decide how you want to be known—and that’s a powerful thing.
My Personal Brand in Action
I’ve learned that a personal brand isn’t static—it evolves with you as you grow. Can you sum up who you are and what you do in one sentence? Here’s mine:
"I’m Scott, and I help leaders and teams turn potential into real impact by creating clarity and empowering action."
I do this because I believe everyone has the ability to lead and make meaningful contributions—sometimes they just need a little help to see the path forward.
This statement reflects where I am today, but it’s the result of years of refinement. Early in my career, I was an architect who helped bring clients’ visions to life through design and big-picture thinking. Later, as a director in a company, I guided teams in delivering global infrastructure projects by staying adaptable, fostering trust, and ensuring alignment around shared goals.
At each stage, people knew what they could expect from me. As an architect, they came to me for design advice (but not construction administration!—that wasn’t my passion, so I’d connect them with someone else on my team). Today, people seek me out for mentoring, career building, and advice on creating impact in their work.
That’s the power of a personal brand: it gives others clarity about who you are and what you bring to the table, and it helps you stay true to yourself while evolving with your career.
Build Your Personal Brand: A Quick Exercise
Here’s a simple exercise to help you start building (or refining) your personal brand. Whether you’re new to this idea or just want to refocus, these steps will give you a solid foundation:
1. Write Your One-Liner
Can you sum up who you are and what you do in one sentence? Start with this structure:
I am [your name], and I help [who you help] to [what you help them achieve] by [how you do it].
For example:
"I’m Scott, and I help leaders and teams turn potential into real impact by creating clarity and empowering action."
2. Define Your Strengths
Write down 3–5 things you’re really good at. These could be technical skills, personality traits, or ways you add value in your work.
3. What Do You Stand For?
What drives you? What values or principles guide your decisions? Write down the impact you want to make on others or the workplace.
4. Ask for Feedback
Ask a few coworkers or friends, “What’s one word or phrase you’d use to describe me?” Notice any patterns—they can give you clues about how others currently see you.
Your Career, Your Story
Here’s the bottom line: your personal brand is yours. It’s not about being someone you’re not or putting on a polished front. It’s about showing up as the best version of yourself and giving people a clear, authentic sense of who you are and what you stand for.
When you own your story, you take ownership of your career—and that opens up opportunities you might not have even imagined.
So, who are you? What do you stand for? Start shaping your personal brand today and take your career narrative into your own hands.
You’ve got this.