Tips for Embracing Your Unique Professional Identity

Whether you're looking to amplify your influence, secure your dream role, or become the go-to expert in your niche, personal branding is a critical tool you should be paying attention to. It's not just about what you know, but who knows what you know. A strong personal brand for a tech leader can make an incredible difference in your career opportunities as well as your ability to make an impact on an organization. Here are 3 things I have learned on my 5-year journey of discovering my personal brand, that recently led me to being a Top Voice on LinkedIn. 1. Identify your Niche: This is an iterative process. Meaning, it's about finding the intersection between what you love, what you're good at, and what the market needs. This initial step is crucial because it differentiates you from the competition and aligns your career with your strengths and passions. To find your niche, start by evaluating your skills, experiences, and areas of interest. Reflect on projects that have excited you and consider where your expertise can address unmet needs in the market. 2. Find Your Personal Brand Statement: To formulate your statement, merge your professional identity with your career aspirations, ensuring it speaks directly to your target audience, whether they're potential employers, clients, or collaborators. Use action-oriented language that conveys confidence and professionalism. 3. Have Consistency and Be Authentic: In this era of AI-generated content, authentic content reigns. Your community wants your unique insights and stories, so put the effort in to make it authentic and you will truly be amazed by the results. Tailoring your content calendar to include a mix of insights, stories, and professional milestones can help keep your audience engaged while reinforcing your brand's core messages. Use storytelling to share your experiences, providing actionable insights that benefit your audience. If you still feel unsure, just get started! Over the years some posts resonated, while many fell into the abyss of content overload. Honestly, that still happens to me today! However, it was the commitment to consistent content creation that laid the foundation of what would become my own personal brand. #topvoices #techleadership #AI

Walking into the boardroom in dress shorts and an untucked shirt, I wasn't just choosing comfort over convention—I was making a statement about what professionalism truly means. This was a declaration of personal identity! This choice highlights a broader truth in the workplace: professionalism is measured not by our outward appearance but by the contributions we make and the sincerity of our engagements. → Authenticity Over Conformity Reflect on these considerations: → Assess your work environment's receptivity to individual expression. Is uniqueness seen as a strength or a deviation from the norm? → Identify a small yet significant way you can bring more of your authentic self into your professional life. This could be through your attire, how you communicate, or simply by sharing your ideas more openly. → Share a story where being true to yourself at work led to positive outcomes. How did your authenticity influence your relationships and the atmosphere in your workplace? Now, think about YOUR identity: → Your uniqueness is your superpower. Why should it be hidden or muted in your professional life? → Being genuine is an act of bravery. What barriers exist that might be preventing you from fully expressing your true self at work? → If you've been modifying your personality or preferences to fit in, it's time to question why. Is it fear of judgment, a desire for acceptance, or something else? Authenticity is the essence of true professionalism. Why compromise it? → Why not champion a work culture where individuality is celebrated alongside professional achievements? → Why not lead by example, showing that authenticity can coexist with professionalism? → Why not let your unique self be a catalyst for creating a more open and accepting workplace? "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you've been conforming to unwritten rules at the expense of your identity, consider this a call to action. Being authentic doesn’t undermine your professionalism. Just BE REAL. Feeling isolated in your quest to break the mold? You're far from alone. Stand Out. INSPIRE. __________ P.S. - If the thought of fostering authenticity in the workplace resonates with you, share your insights or this post. Together, we can inspire a shift towards more genuine professional environments where everyone is encouraged to be their true self. Gratitude And Love, Shawn Nason  Follow ➡ #experienceevangelist & #corporatepastor #whatinspiresme #bestadvice #motivation #honesty #integrity #transparency #loyalty #personaldevelopment #leadership #heartcenteredleader #heartcenteredexecutive #management #gratitude #kindness #creativity #marketing #entrepreneurship #personalbranding #socialnetworking #socialmedia #teamwork 

One question I get asked frequently is how to stand out from the crowd, especially in tougher times where the market is flooded with qualified candidates. It's one thing to meet qualifications on paper, but another to truly connect with the hiring manager and team. How does one stand out then? One way is through storytelling, and here's how to begin: ✅ Think about the audience, in this case, it's the hiring manager and the interviewers. Do some research on them, what are their roles, what have they done and what things might be more important to them? Do you share any passions and hobbies? ✅ Craft a narrative / theme that's personalized to you - It's who you are and what makes you unique! Don't limit it to just professional work, life experiences, overcoming challenges or achieving personal goals absolutely count. ✅ Don't forget to provide context! Establish the setting, characters and the conflict when telling your stories are important to have; it helps the audience walk in your shoe, and it makes it much more authentic and relatable. In the past when I was interviewing, I was given feedback that people felt they only saw glimpses of the real me. I didn't understand how important that piece of feedback that was then. I was trying to hide the nerdy me who loves cosplay, playing video games and anime under a polished and professional front. In reality, we're all nerdy for something and it's okay to come to work as your whole self and people want to celebrate that! #careertiptuesdays #careerdevelopment #gamedev #storytelling

Being entirely yourself, no matter the audience, is one of the great career catapulters. It builds connections, makes impressions, and allows people to know each other without any crusty facade getting in the way. 𝗜𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁. And while I'm no self-help guru, I HAVE been accused of lacking business acumen.  🏅 I've counted that as a Certificate of Authenticity ever since. 1. 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁. - If you are aware of what you suck at, people have a difficult time springing it on you like some sort of ill-intentioned *gotcha*. 2. 𝗕𝗲 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆. - Had a crap day? Then let your team know. Someone else having a crap day won't feel so alone. Emotions are human super glue, even the once the feel yucky. 3. 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀. - It takes a huge set of brass courage to show up to work waving a uniquely branded freak flag. Celebrate them. Encourage them. Keep them. 4. 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗱. - Got a super niche hobby? Talk about it. People LOVE to observe weirdness. Let them in and give them a show. 5. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗯. - Finding a place to spend 40 hours a week that doesn't suck your soul dry can be a challenge. But linking your own core values to your org's core values can actually be soul lubricating. 6. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲. - Once you feel that your whole-ass self in all its unique, weird, flavorful glory isn't celebrated, respected, or (at a bare minimum) tolerated, it's time to raise that freak flag on another ship and set sail for more welcoming seas. ⚓️ Fair winds and freaky seas, sailors.

Too often we focus on developing our organizations without applying that same effort into building our Professional Brands. Steve White says it best, “Think and act like a business.” Similar to a business, your brand has value that speaks for you when you’re not in the room. Professionals today must be strategic in cultivating their Brands. It's not just about what you do, but how you're perceived. To succeed in this endeavor, consider these three pillars: 📍Brand Mission: Start by defining your purpose. What unique value do you bring to your field? Your brand mission should be clear, inspiring, and aligned with your passions. It's the driving force behind everything you do professionally. Stay committed to it, and let it guide your choices and actions. 📍Brand Values: Your values are the core of your brand. Identify the principles that matter most to you and reflect them consistently in your work. Authenticity is key here. People are drawn to individuals whose values align with their own. Ensure that your values shine through in your interactions, decisions, and content. 📍Brand Voice: This is how you communicate your brand's essence. Whether you're writing emails, posting on social media, or speaking at an event, maintain a consistent tone and style that reflects your brand personality. It should resonate with your target audience and reinforce your mission and values. Remember, cultivating a Professional Brand is an ongoing process. Continuously refine your brand by seeking feedback, staying up-to-date in your field, and adapting to changes in your industry. Ultimately, a strong Professional Brand can open doors, build trust, and pave the way for meaningful career opportunities. Check out Steve’s article 📰 in the COMMENTS below. ⬇️ . . . #professionaldevelopment #personaldevelopment #personalbranding #careers #leadership #corpdad

Embrace your authenticity Almost 30 years ago I joined Wall Street as an equity research analyst. There’s been a lot of growth and change since then — not just in my #career, but also in the financial #markets, the broader #economy and the world at large. Smartphones, social media and a global pandemic are just a few of the forces that have shaped our lives in transformative ways.   Today’s up-and-coming young professionals are facing futures that will be affected by these changes and by many more we can’t predict or even imagine yet. As I mark almost 30 years in the industry, what’s the most important advice I can offer this generation? Embrace your authenticity. To some degree, everyone wants to “fit in.” But from where I grew up to where I went to school to how I landed my first job in the industry, I knew I was far from the norm — a feeling reinforced early in my career when I was often the only woman of color in the room. Whatever unique characteristics may challenge your sense of belonging, resist the impulse to keep a low profile or assimilate with the crowd. Instead, recognize that there’s power in the perspective and experience you bring to the table. Consensus may be comfortable, but it’s not always necessary or even desirable. Going against the grain when circumstances call for it is a philosophy that has served me well over time and flows through to my investment approach in my current role as Nuveen, a TIAA company’s CIO. I’m proud to be part of a firm that recognizes how valuable diversity of thought, background and education is to thriving in an ever-changing world. Whether you’re in your 30th or the 3rd year of your career, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Just be yourself    Ever ask yourself, "Who am I trying to impress?" The other day, I talked to a client who was overwhelmed with molding herself into what she thought others expected. Her authenticity was getting lost as she tried to perfect every gesture, every word.   I vividly recall her asking, “Do you think I’m less professional if I prefer casual clothes over a business suit?”   It made me think about the pressures we face to conform.   Then, an old mentor of mine came to mind.  His advice was sharp but nurturing. As I looked at my client, his words came rushing back to me: "Your individuality is your greatest asset."   I told her, "Your unique style, your comfort in your own skin—that's what makes you genuine. That’s what people connect with!"   And just like that, I saw a weight lift off her shoulders.   After embracing her true self, she: - Leads with confidence, not conforming to the typical 'executive' blueprint. - Grows her network authentically, impacting many who admire her realness. - Breaks stereotypes, proving that professionalism isn't a one-size-fits-all.   Now, when someone asks me, "How do you make a real impact?"   Here’s what I say: 1. Forget about impressing. 2. There’s no universal standard you have to live up to. 3. Own your unique qualities.   Your quirky sense of humor, unconventional dress code, or laid-back demeanor make you relatable. To be honest, that's a breath of fresh air in any stuffy professional setting.   But the secret to truly thriving? Believe in yourself.   I can’t emphasize this enough. No one else can be you so perfectly.   What do you think? Have you felt pressured to change to impress others? How has believing in yourself shaped your professional journey? Share below 👇