People don’t often realize how unique they are. Nor do really think others are paying attention. The truth is that people talk in idiosyncratic ways. They have a distinctive vocabulary set and tone and for the most part they converse in the chronological age bracket of their youth or matured seasoning. People also talk in terms of their breeding or reading. Folks who are well read can articulate in intelligent ways. Whatever the messages, they create an imprint on others lives . . . or dare I say YOUR brand.
For the angels on this earth, our muses, their words play like music to the ears and their soulful melody sustains us. Imperfections visible to the true friend these folks are far from perfect. Still, they inspire… for those we deeply know and have studied, we look past their short comings and accept them for it.
For those less evolved and more rough around the edges, the brand becomes an impression burned into others’ minds like a warning sign about what to avoid. These are the folks label everyone friends, talk larger than their action and simply are folks who upon reasonable numbers of observation are frankly out of step with themselves. They post platitudes, but privately don’t follow the Golden rules they hold dear. And should anyone who cares for them gently say “hey, wondering whether you’d like to reconsider that”, they cannot handle facing the truth or the disconnect between who they think they are in the eyes of the masses versus who they really are to the people who know them best.
Naturally, every human in between has a personal brand. The way s/he talks about about both professional and personal matters, but also in how they treat others. Were you to assess your brand, is there consistency in YOUR walk and talk? Do you have rules for your business that you will not allow other people to enforce as procedures in their businesses? Or perhaps you DON’T have processes in your business that you refuse to allow other entrepreneurs to hold within their companies?
An easy example where there is a brand disconnect is accounts receivable vs. accounts payable. Many professionals today want and economically need to be paid up front to secure their services. Yet, in contrast, business owners want Net 10 or 30 for their business, while others want unreasonable price guarantees. Talk and walk doesn’t match. Owners want to be honored for their professional skills, but don’t want to honor others for their craft or trade. Liken to the saying “what is good for the goose is good for the gander”, integrity states that what is good for your business is also reasonable for someone else’s.
