In elaborating, Harry noted that self-knowledge is critical to successfully finding work through networking. As he sees it, knowing what value you create, and how you create it, is fundamental to creating professional presence and being considered for new opportunities. Coupled with that, Harry believes people need to have points of view that become the basis for engagement with others in their communities of practice. According to Harry, conversations generated by shared points of view not only help you establish credibility, but also make you memorable and increase your attractiveness to an organization. So, stand for something!
This, of course, makes great sense from a personal brand point of view. Not only does it take into consideration one’s distinctive talents and attributes, but also the broader context of professional community.
To be relevant to others you need to know what it is you bring them. Diminishing yourself in service to an organization doesn’t serve the needs of anyone. Indeed, in a competitive world, where diversity increasingly drives innovation, you need to be you! So, it’s critical to relate what you bring that makes a difference to the teams that are part of your brand community.
In retrospect, the idea that “there’s no ‘I’ in TEAM” seems pointless. In fact, it stands in contrast to a better idea: Together Each Achieves More. In short, it’s the combined talents of individuals that drives organizational success. So, figure out what you bring and seek out opportunities to share it!
Cross-posted at The Personal Branding Blog.
