Your intro opens a door

Can you answer this question: Why would you call you?

Brand is your reputation and you have the ability to steer it towards what you want it to be. 

Find 6 words to use as the ingredients that show you - within the context you find yourself for an introduction. 

Persuasion vs. influence

We use the words interchangeably yet they are not the same.

Persuasion is the use of of words to make a compelling argument. It is often delivered through direct approach.

Anyone can try to be persuasive. We attempt to persuade people every day, in situations from sharing facts, our opinions, and preferences. Persuasion can be part of negotiation; a job interview is an attempt to convince someone they want us for the job. Asking for mentorship is often making a compelling pitch as to what a mutually beneficial relationship could bring.  Written or oral, carefully crafted or off the cuff, persuasion happens every day.  Persuasion is communication.

Influence is a combination of social status, power, relationships, trust, track record and other items that create brand. Influence is usually felt indirectly and over time.

Influencers are sought in the work place as mentors, project fixers and thought leaders. It takes more than a network to become an influencer. Influence implies excellent communication, strong relationships, forward thinking and credibility / trust.  Influence can be used to manipulate or to create bias.

Both persuasion and influence can be affected by word choice, biases, relationships, power/ control, and communication style.

Talk with your mentoring partner. Think of the difference as you expand or share your network. Build your skills in these arenas.

Personal brand is part of your resume

My living room has often, over the last decade, been filled with the ambitious, the lost, the determined and the clueless ages 19 – 26. Some already have a Masters degree. Some are still trying out the minimum wage route. All of them feel burdened by the "need experience to get a job; need a job to get experience" conundrum.

There is one unusual path to try - it's developing and using your personal brand. Mentors help you develop it. Sponsors promote it. Only  you the brand holder can define it. You can use it to help potential employers understand your value and beliefs even if you have limited previous experience by which to prove your follow through.

At a very basic level, you can define your brand as:

1.       What 3 words do you wish folks would use to describe you in a job? 

2.       What have you done this week to demonstrate those attributes to others in any situation? 

3.       What do you have planned to do to continue developing and demonstrating these qualities?

If you're a coffee pourer and want folks to know you're "creative, intelligent & people-savvy" (for example), what can you do in your workplace (and outside of it) to showcase the best of yourself? 

·         Volunteer opportunities

·         Work committees

·         Extra assignment /offer of help to someone

·         Conversation with your manager to ask for any of the above

·         Build your network to ask other people how they've managed the transition

Just a few ideas that show how you can demonstrate ability before getting paid experience. Demonstrating the very skills for which you hope to be hired can be very powerful in getting you the paid opportunities.

Personal brands & sharing them

How you are perceived is both a reflection of your brand and the brands of those with whom you surround yourself.

Hmmm... sounds like advice our moms gave us years ago, doesn't it?

The difference is in the intent. Ages ago the subtext was "only surround yourself with successful people." With a broader definition of success and joy in a diverse network, today the reminder is to "be mindful of how you share your brand and be respectful of how your association reflects on others." Less about surface and more about character.

My arts and not-for-profit background is positions my technical associates as forward thinkers as much as it showcases my own ability to apply knowledge across industries. We are greater than the sum of our parts - which is why networks and communities can do much more in the aggregate. Another positive check mark for having networks.

More than how my personal network (with me at the centre) is built, is honouring the trust given when someone else shares their network and their brand. Simple manners like 'ask before assuming it's ok to provide an introduction' or 'offer a heads up when information may impact someone' can go a long way to building further trust.

Your brand is more than your job - your network should reach beyond your own skills. Share across industries. Collaborate in many communities. Growing your connections with an authentic approach around who you are and what you offer can see everyone's perception of the participants deepen.

Success isn't skin deep - it's a whole community's reflection of us all.

Diminishing ourselves through words

What's in a word (bad Shakespeare paraphrase, I know!)?

There have been a lot of social media posts lately on words/phrases we (usually women) use to hedge our comments and which weaken our voice. "Just" "In my opinion" "Excuse me if this has been said before" ... you know your own choice.

I find I say "I will try to...." Try is my word, creating both implied effort before the actual effort and casting doubt on the feasibility of the attempt, whether I mean to or not. Actually, if I say "I'll try..." in a really sad voice, I'm denigrating both the attempt and my ability: two birds with one stone! whoo hoo!

Whatever the word/phrase, why do we do it?

Sometimes it is necessary. Sometimes the idea really does need a tug on the reality leash that might mean resources are scarce; timing is off; or my heart is not in it.

Most of the time, we are simply softening our answer in case we have any incorrect assumptions about what we are being asked. Perhaps the assumptions are our own self-doubt around skills. Or the appetite for the change. Or being seen as too forceful or assured.

This week, I'm trying something new. I'm trying to say "yes" more slowly. I'm asking for clarification of the assumptions, problem to be solved and why I'm the right person for the job. That way, when I state my intention to deliver something, I won't be trying.. I'll be doing...  I want that as part of my brand.

Intros in 6 words

I've written about the 6 word exercise before – and the need to make a resume and introduction reflective of values.

Sitting with a tea, the aha! was: do them together…

Introductions are often like a label in clothing: 10% name; 60% work history; 20% family reference and 10% 'why are you here?'  While we make do with that sparse information to create a link for conversation or engagement, it's sometimes difficult.

Let's approach introductions as more of an ingredient list: 1 cup of <value>; 2 tbs of <passion>; mixed with <interest>; and seasoned with <x>.

Take the 6 words and introduce the ingredients that make you who you are within the context you find yourself. At a meeting - how do you plan to add value and take some away (vs. name/rank/serial number)?  At a networking event – what gets you excited about your business, your career?  At a coffee – what are the important things against which you hope to connect with others?

Put 6 words at the top of your resume that summarize the skills and passions reflected in the body.

Six words can open doors that lead to stories that lead to connections for your network and community.

Daring. Easy. Different. Engaging. Professional. Delivers!

What's stopping you?

Brand... we hear a lot about it from mentors and managers. We think we know what it means and then struggle to apply the concept to ourselves and careers.

Dream big (always) but start small.
 - What 3 adjectives would you like folks to use in describing you?
 - What have you done (or planned to do) this week that demonstrates those words?

Have your actions match your dreams. Be consistent. Make conscious choices. Take action.