How To Erase Imposter Syndrome
May 4, 2023Transform Your Team
November 5, 2024
Cicely Simpson | Read time: 4 minutes
Welcome to your weekly playbook for leaders and achievers!
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Before we dive in...
Thank you for your patience over the past few months. What began as a short pause from this newsletter has turned into an incredible adventure launching our new 21st Century Leadership Institute. AND our largest client who is known worldwide asked me to help build their teams and coach their leaders.
It has been a whirlwind...
I am thrilled to be back in your inbox offering not just career insights but also actionable leadership strategies.
A warm welcome to our new leaders and achievers 👋 who’ve joined us recently. You’ve picked an exciting time to hop on board!
Okay, let's go!
Your Greatest Advantage
It's not what you think.
Raise your hand if you have read a LinkedIn post or google article about building a personal brand.
Everyone telling you...
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Why you need a personal brand
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The importance of a personal brand
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Why you are doomed if you don't have a personal brand (ok, maybe not doomed...)
We've been taught that we need to market ourselves at work, and to do that we need to develop our personal brand.
WHAT IF I told you personal branding is outdated thinking?
WHAT IF I told you that you don't need to focus on building a personal brand.
You need something else.
Have I piqued your interest?
Pull up your chair and I'll explain...
Why Personal Branding Is Outdated
At the outset, let's establish that personal branding is not bad. Not at all.
Years ago, I bought into the idea of establishing a personal brand. Perhaps you have also.
Influencers and experts telling us to craft an image, develop a narrative, and curate our presence to showcase the best version of ourselves.
While these strategies may have served their purpose in the past, the emphasis on personal branding has become outdated.
Why?
At its core, personal branding is about perception. It’s how you want others to see you, and how you position yourself in the marketplace.
But perception doesn’t always align with reality.
Personal branding can often become a veneer, presenting an idealized version of who we are rather than focusing on the actual impact we make. Notice that word...impact.
Lead With Your Value; Not Your Personal Brand
Your personal brand does not create impact, and impact is what sets you apart from others.
That is why your value is your advantage. Not your personal brand.
The greatest edge you have to create impact: the value you offer.
The distinction is that personal branding is unique to you. Your value is the benefit you offer to others. (write this down...)
Let me put it another way: your personal brand is often based on your strengths. Strengths are internal. Value is the external manifestation of your strengths. Value is what you offer others.
Your value is what you bring to the table that no one else can and how that value benefits others: your role, your team, your organization, your relationships, etc.
In short, your value is your differentiator(s).
Here's why you want to make the shift from personal branding to the value you offer:
1. Value = Impact
The value you bring is about impact, not style. It’s about the real contributions you make to the people around you, the problems you solve, and the expertise you bring to the table. While personal branding focuses on what you project, focusing on value is about what you deliver.
2. People Want Authenticity
In an age where trust is paramount, authenticity wins. Audiences, teams, and clients can see through a glossy persona, and they’re more drawn to leaders who are genuine. Personal branding can sometimes encourage individuals to shape themselves into something they’re not, striving to fit an ideal image rather than being true to their strengths.
When you focus on the value you provide, you can show up as your true self. It’s about leading with your expertise, your unique perspective, and your contributions. Authentic leaders aren’t trying to manage their image; they’re delivering results, solving real problems, and offering insights that matter.
3. Value Transcends Image
Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or building relationships, the value you bring is what others will remember. Did you help them overcome a challenge? Did you provide a fresh perspective? Did you enable their growth? These are the things that make you irreplaceable—not the aesthetics of your personal brand.
4. Value Brings Opportunities, Not Just Visibility
It’s tempting to think that building a strong personal brand will open doors. While visibility is important, it’s not enough on its own. The opportunities that matter—partnerships, leadership roles, meaningful connections—come when people recognize the real value you offer.
Instead of focusing on how you’re perceived, shift your energy toward how you can contribute. When you consistently show up with value, people will naturally seek you out. You’ll become the go-to person not because of your brand, but because of the impact you make.
5. Leadership Is For Problem-Solvers, Not Self-Promoters
In a fast-moving, competitive environment, organizations and individuals don’t have time for self-promotion. What they need are leaders and achievers who can solve problems, offer creative solutions, and inspire others. Personal branding, in its traditional sense, is about promoting yourself—but what makes you stand out today is your ability to solve others’ challenges.
Become known for what you bring to the table—whether it’s your expertise, your strategic thinking, or your ability to inspire and motivate others. When you focus on delivering value, the recognition follows naturally.
The Bottomline
So many leaders I coach struggle with identifying their value.
Your personal brand is you.
Your value is the the benefit you offer to others.
Knowing the difference will:
→ Skyrocket your leadership
→ Attract clients to your business
→ Give you the competitive advantage as an entrepreneur
I have spoken to thousands of people, coached leaders in every industry and sector, and yet the most common questions are about my nontraditional career path and leadership roles in politics, corporate, and as a 2x founder.
My answer:
→ I know my value.
→ My value is my differentiator.
→ Knowing what I bring to the table that no one else does has put me in the most powerful rooms in the world.
Your distinct value is your power.
Lean into it.
See you next week!
Cicely
Transform Your Team
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