In part two of 3 Tips to Build an Authentic Personal Brand, we explore the second tip; how to look and sound your true version.
In a world where authenticity is luckily starting to gain momentum, we are (as a people) starting to quickly develop sharper skills to tell a phony from a more genuine person.
Coming from a sales leadership background, you bet I’ve had to opportunity to observe and experience many a phony or ‘winging it’ behaviour both in business and life scenarios. I have seen and experienced more genuine behaviours in similar scenarios too. In both instances, the most interesting thing is the outcome (or expected outcome) of the behaviour. 
In short, the former behaviour has the tendency for short-lived satisfaction and could come back to bite us in the near future, whereas the latter could yield far longer term dividends; deeper relationships, bigger and longer-term contracts, better personal and business brands etc.
Tips to Build an Authentic Personal Brand
So, back to the Keynote I gave at the Blake Morgan LLP’s Next Generation Network event. If you missed Part 1 of this series, check it out here as it start to make a whole lot of sense. We focused on the importance of having a sense of purpose (your WHY).
For this second part, I emphasise on how to look and sound your true version. During the keynote, this was broken down into 3 key simple steps to help the audience embody their true versions quicker. Let’s get into this, shall we?
Hint: Our true version is the key to allowing more genuine behaviours to come into play so we can build and improve our brands quicker.
Tip 2 – Look and sound our True Version
Step 1 – Brands, personal or business have a message. The message is one of the most important aspects of our brands. It’s important that we value, share this message and ensure our actions are consist with it.
Step 2 – Speaking of consistency, we need to show up by looking and sounding our brand and its message all of the time e.g. a lion does sound like a kitten when it roars. 
Step 3 – Finally, we need to explore our brand and its development in a holistic perspective; emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.
And here is a bonus tip for you. If your brand was an animal, what will it be? I’ve had many a fun and hugely illuminated consultation with some of my executive mentoring clients on this!
Do answer this question and it will sure reveal a lot more about you, your personal brand and its potential for development so you can show up, look and sound your true version. It will also help you to be on purpose in all aspects of your life and business.
Look out for our final version in this blog series where we discuss Tip 3 – How to Own up to your Brand!
Maggie Sarfo is a passionate author, speaker, advisor and mentor for inspirational business leaders and entrepreneurs looking to explode growth revenue or access their highest potential. Her blog is her playground, where she explores the topics of business growth, personal growth and peak performance. Learn more about her programmes.
