Personal brands are, by definition, unique.
Success is not a straight road, and those who have achieved it have taken many paths to get there. That being said, there are a number of attributes successful people – and their personal brands – have in common.
I’m fortunate to have spent the past two decades working with people worldwide who have remarkable personal brands.
While they have worked in different industries at different levels and in different roles, the common thread is an enviable career trajectory, fueled by raving fans and loyal supporters.
What sets them apart? And what can you learn from them?
Let’s start by exploring what a personal brand attribute is, and then dive into the seven traits that successful brands share.
What Are Personal Brand Attributes?
Personal brand attributes are the qualities that define you as an individual and make you stand out. They’re your unique superpowers, your work quirks, and the ways in which you differentiate yourself.
They let people know exactly who you are and what you stand for even if they’ve never spoken to you before.
7 Attributes Found Across All Successful Personal Brands
While no two brands are alike, the most compelling and successful personal brands I have met share these seven core attributes:
1. Confidence
We love when people exude confidence – it’s the most attractive element of a brand.
We are inspired by those who carry themselves with confidence and feel comfortable in their own shoes. Confidence comes from living their authentic brand – being themselves unapologetically.
Confidence is also contagious. When strong personal brands show up, they inspire confidence in their team members.
2. Generosity
While the term “personal branding” might sound like it’s all about you, effective personal branding is about being visible, available, and valuable to others.
Those with strong personal brands are generous with praise and know how to make their team feel valued. They are more than willing to share their advice and expertise to support those around them.
3. Purpose
As authentic leaders, those with strong personal brands have a strong sense of purpose motivating everything they do. They understand why they’re doing what they’re doing. They have a reason for acting and use their reason to guide them.
As motivational speaker and organizational consultant Simon Sinek explains in his TED talk, purpose informs your actions, and attracts those who have the same beliefs and values:
“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. If you talk about what you believe, you will attract those who believe what you believe.”
Simon Sinek
4. Creativity and Resourcefulness
People with strong personal brands think beyond the limits of their current role. While they are committed to doing their best work in any position, they also want to be influential in other spheres.
This means being involved in other projects and connecting with people at every level of their company in order to create a higher, more visible profile. They use digital tools such as the LinkedIn Profile Type Indicator and other innovative methods effectively to make themselves seen and recognized.
They are known both inside and outside of their organization and respected for their expertise and point of view.
5. Persistent Learner
Just doing well in their current role isn’t enough – those with strong personal brands know that they have to be learning consistently and diligently to stay ahead.
They take every opportunity to learn both with day-to-day, on-the-job activities and through more formal talent development programs. They’re curious about every facet of their organization and are always looking to expand their knowledge and skill set.
6. Ambition
While those with strong personal brands are committed to delivering on today’s tasks, they are also focused on the future. They’re always considering where and how they can blast ahead in their careers while simultaneously contributing to their organization’s growth.
Strong personal brands emanate competence and the ability to excel in a given role – and they’re always ready and eager for their next big gig.
7. Curiosity
A successful personal brand is fascinating – and fascinated! People with this attribute ask a lot of questions, engage with people they meet, and learn everything they can.
This curiosity helps them develop stronger, more authentic relationships. It also keeps them hungry for discovering and overcoming new challenges, and learning as they do so.
One of the reasons I especially enjoy delivering keynotes is that I’m not just teaching; I’m learning from all of the great follow-up questions I receive from my new connections in the audience. Their curiosity inspires new content for future presentations.
Uncover and Develop Your Personal Brand Traits
To develop your personal brand, you first have to understand your unique strengths and what makes you stand out. You need to unearth the six drivers of your personal brand: your values, passions, differentiators, superpowers, purpose, and goals.
One of the best ways to evaluate where your brand stands right now is with the Personal Brand (PB) Power Audit. It’s a quick quiz that measures your power when it comes to knowing, showing, and growing your personal brand.
A version of this post was originally published in Forbes.
