GenXmanager: Leadership for the Generation X Manager

In all you do, be yourself. It’s your personal brand, no one else’s. Don’t throw up a façade. Don’t pretend to be someone else. Don’t try to fake it. When you try to act in ways that are not “you” everyone can tell. Trust me. I say this from personal experience. As Gary Vaynerchuk wrote in his book Crush It, you got to know your DNA. As Shakespeare said in Hamlet, “This above all: to thine own self be true.”

Know Yourself

Think back to the movie, the Matrix. When Neo visited the Oracle do you remember what was written on the plaque above her door? Take a look. ‘Temet Nosce’ means ‘know thyself’. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Know your true passion. Know what makes you happy. Know what motivates you. Know what values and beliefs drive your behavior.

 Act Yourself

As you become more self-aware you need to take a strong look at how you act. If you’re giving a presentation and humor is not natural to you, don’t try to be funny. Think of other strengths that you possess that can create a ‘sock-their-socks-off’ presentation. Acting yourself also means staying true to your values in all situations.

Here’s a test. Think about five personal interactions you’ve had recently. It could be with your boss, a client, your spouse, your son or daughter, or a random stranger. Were you authentic in what you said and the way you acted? You shouldn’t have multiple personalities that change depending on with whom you are speaking. Your core self should come through in all interactions.

Promote Yourself

Your brand is how you package yourself and present yourself to everyone. You should not have multiple brands. You might provide multiple services or products for different audiences but you are one brand. Promote yourself using social media, blogging about your expertise, presenting at conferences, doing a GREAT job at work, fulfilling your promises, guest writing for a newspaper or magazine, and booking yourself on a local or national television show.

Most importantly, promote yourself using media consistent with your brand, brand image, and your strengths. Not everyone looks or acts great on camera. If you are one of these people either get training on how to present on video or don’t do it. If you aren’t a great writer, learn to write better or hire someone to proof your work when blogging.

People don’t like fakers. To enhance your brand be authentic.