Addio Pavarotti, Bravo e Grazie

From time to time, I read blog posts or comments that state or imply that cultivating a personal brand is about shameless self promotion. Arguably, if you look at the very strong brands of some of the executives and celebrities of our time, it sure can seem that way.

And yet, having, cultivating, and even promoting a personal brand is anything but a shameless ego trip. It is really about using your strengths and your passions to make a difference for other people. Case in point: Luciano Pavarotti. If you go to Pavorotti’s website, today, you will find this quote:

"I think a life in music is a life beautifully spent, and this is what I have devoted my life to."

It is a wonderful statement of his passion and his strength. It is his brand.

In his lifetime, Pavarotti used his talent not only to produce electrifying performances for opera fans everywhere, but also to make a true difference in the world. While his brand was always rooted in his music, he employed his talent in service to humanity. By joining together with other popular artists, including James Brown,  Barry White, Queen, Ricky Martin, Bono, Meat Loaf, the Spice Girls, Grace Jones, and many others, at his annual "Pavarotti and Friends" concerts, he raised money for children and other victims of war and civil unrest in Bosnia, Guatemala, Kosovo and Iraq.

Strong personal brand. Yes. Shameless self promotion. I think not.

Addio Pavarotti. Bravo e Grazie

Comments

[Vikram Rajan]

nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care...

and was it jay abraham or carnegie who said, "It's better to be interestED in others, than to be interestING to others."

That's the irony of personal branding, eh?

~ Vikram
PersonalBrandMarketing.com

[Walter Akana]

Hi Vick! Great comment! I don’t know about Jay Abraham, but Carnegie certainly did stress that taking interest in others is a way to “win friends and influence people.” And while he isn’t normally connected with personal branding, his advice clearly resonates. So, yes, the irony of personal branding is a deep commitment to deliver value for others.