Rethinking What Makes a Personal Brand
Personal branding used to be something for marketing professionals, but today, it’s something every executive needs to think about. A personal brand isn’t just a resume or a list of achievements—it’s your story. It’s about showing how you lead, what you stand for, and where you’re going, not just what you’ve done in the past.
I had to go through this shift myself. Early on, I thought my brand was all about the jobs I’d had or the projects I’d led. Over time, I realized that people connect more with how I lead today and the kind of leader I’m becoming. It’s about the impact you’re making right now, not just your track record.
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From Achievements to Impact
I used to be really focused on my achievements—what I’d accomplished over the years. But a strong personal brand is less about what you’ve done and more about how you’re making an impact today. A mentor once told me that it doesn’t matter if you’ve been in a job for 20 years if people don’t see how you’ve grown or what changes you’ve led. That advice flipped my approach completely.
The best personal brands weave together your experiences, showing how you’ve evolved and what you’re aiming for in the future.
The “Personality Brand” Approach
Here’s something I’ve learned: your personal interests matter too. The things that make you unique, like your hobbies and passions—whether you’re into hiking, your family, or whatever else—are part of your brand. Those personal details spark real conversations and help you connect with people. I’m not the type to post selfies of what I am eating, but I do try to share personal details with the intention to build genuine connections.
Social Media: Amplifying, Not Defining Your Brand
One mistake I’ve seen is when people think their personal brand is just about their social media presence. But social media is just one way to amplify your message—it’s not the whole story. LinkedIn, for example, is a great platform to share insights and start conversations, but it’s not about getting as many likes or followers as possible. It’s about engaging meaningfully with the people in your network.
Consistency is Key
The hardest part of building a personal brand is sticking with it. Starting is the easy part, but maintaining momentum is where things get tough. For me, having a team definitely helps, but even then, I’ve had to remind myself not to worry about being repetitive or if people might get tired of hearing from me. What really matters is staying consistent and making sure your message always lines up with who you are.
In the end, building a personal brand comes down to authenticity. It’s a blend of your values, your leadership style, and even your personal interests. By finding your voice, you set yourself up to create new opportunities and confidently navigate the next phase of your career.
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Marcy Stoudt is a seasoned sales leader dedicated to shaping the future of talent acquisition and executive coaching. As the founder of Revel Search and Revel Coach, Marcy collaborates with corporate clients to develop innovative strategies for attracting, advancing, and retaining top-tier talent.
During her 22 years at Allegis Group, Marcy was TEKsystems's first female Vice President. She led a team of 300 producers and delivered four consecutive years of revenue results at 18% CAGR, averaging $320 million annually. While at MarketSource, she established the Customer Experience Strategy for the Target Mobile outsourced sales team at 1,540 Target locations, fostering executive-level relationships with Target and Apple.
The Revel Coach™ Blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not mental health, financial, business or legal advice. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose, treat, heal, cure or prevent any medical, mental or emotional condition. The information presented here is not a guarantee that you will obtain any results or earn any money using our content.