Why You Need an Authentic Personal Style

I didn’t know I needed a personal brand. I thought doing good work was enough—that if I just kept my head down and delivered, people would notice and say nice things. But I learned the hard way that it’s not enough to assume others know what to say about you. Personal branding isn’t self-promotion—it’s clarity. It’s about defining what makes you unique and making sure your work and values speak for themselves. Trust starts with honesty, and that means being transparent about your experiences, sharing both wins and challenges. People connect with real stories, not just polished résumés. Credibility follows trust—and it’s built over time. Supporting your insights with data, industry knowledge, and personal experiences reinforces your authority. But the real key? Consistency. Whether through thought leadership, speaking engagements, or content creation, showing up regularly signals commitment. Three key takeaways for building a strong personal brand: ✅ Be intentional – Don’t assume people know your strengths. Define and communicate what makes you unique. ✅ Share your journey – Authenticity builds trust. Your challenges are just as important as your successes. ✅ Show up consistently – Whether through writing, speaking, or networking, regular engagement strengthens credibility. When your words align with your actions, people don’t just believe in your expertise—they come to rely on your perspective. That’s how you build real influence. What’s something you’ve learned about building your personal brand? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 #PersonalBranding #Authenticity #Leadership

In a world full of noise, your personal brand is your own voice. It's not just about being different—it's about showing what you believe in. When I started building my brand, I felt lost. Everyone had ideas about how I should look, what I should do, and who I should be. But with all these voices, I forgot to listen to the most important one—my own. It wasn't until I took a break and thought about what really matters to me that things started to change. I realized that my personal brand wasn't about making a perfect image; it was about showing who I really am and what I care about. Here's what I learned: 🟣 Being Real Draws People In: When your brand shows your true self, it naturally brings the right chances and people to you. 🟣 Your Values are Your Guide: Let what you believe in guide your choices. They'll keep you on the right path when things get hard. 🟣 Goals Show the Way: Your personal brand should show not just who you are, but where you want to go. Let your dreams shape your story. 🟣 Being the Same Builds Trust: Match your words, actions, and online self. Being the same everywhere makes your brand stronger. 🟣 Change is Normal: As you grow, your brand will too. Welcome this change—it shows you're moving forward. Building your brand isn't about making a fake front. It's about peeling away layers to show your real self to the world. It's tough, sometimes scary, but always worth it. Remember, your brand is your story. Make it one you're proud to tell. What's one word you want people to think of when they hear your name? Share below and let's talk about real personal branding!

Personal branding isn’t just about… 📸  Having the perfect photos 🗣️  Saying the right thing every time 🪝  Crafting the best hook #️⃣  Using all the right hashtags It’s not about being the most popular, the most creative, or following a perfect formula for overnight success. Sure, those things can help. But after 5 years of writing on LinkedIn, I’ve learned that personal branding is more about being REAL versus perfect. Because no one is perfect. When I first started, I struggled with paralyzing self-doubt and crippling insecurity—questioning every word I wrote and video I posted. For my OGs, you’ll remember I used to only show my “good side” on video. I feared that if people saw the whole me, I’d be rejected. We’re taught to fit in, follow the rules, and not rock the boat. So, for a long time, I stayed silent—just like we’re conditioned to. -I watched as other creators showed up confidently. -I let the fear of judgment dictate my actions. -I let perfectionism keep me from even starting. But as I continued to show up, I learned that: ✨ Personal branding isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being REAL. ✨ It’s about allowing your audience to see the real YOU—flaws, imperfections, quirks and all. ✨ It’s about writing content that is authentic, relevant, and valuable. ✨ It’s about showing up consistently and courageously, reminding others they’re not alone. ✨ It’s about being vulnerable—sharing insights, struggles, and growth in a way that truly resonates. Anyone can build a personal brand. Anyone can start writing and sharing their story. Anyone can create impact just by showing up as their most authentic self. But most don’t. Why? In my coaching, I’ve found the biggest roadblocks come down to identity, self-worth, and mindset. We fear what others think. We doubt we have something valuable to offer. We self-sabotage and stay stuck in the same cycles. We let fear—rather than love—lead us. We allow others' labels to override the truth of who God says we are. And most of the time, we do this unconsciously. I almost let fear keep me from sharing my voice. But I made a choice. To show up despite the fear. To share my story, even when I wasn’t sure if anyone would listen. To speak my truth, even when it hurt. And guess what? That choice changed everything. Your story could be a page in someone else's survival guide. Those who are called to share a message will find a way. You won’t let fear of judgment hold you back. You won’t let a lack of resources stop you from serving those you’re meant to serve. If you feel called to share your story—that is your green light to start. If you're ready to 👇 ✅ Unlock your voice and share your story ✅ Attract aligned opportunities ✅ Break through self-doubt and limiting beliefs Let’s connect! Let’s build a brand in alignment with your God-given assignment 🙌   👉 https://lnkd.in/gKnCjNgi #faith #truth #authenticity #personalbranding #grindingingrace

No one told me that staying quiet could cost me more than speaking up. In my early career, I thought being successful meant being grateful, staying in my lane, and letting my work speak for itself.      It didn’t.     It took me years to understand that personal branding isn’t about being loud or self-promotional. It’s about being seen for who you truly are, so the right people can find you, support you, and open doors you didn’t even know existed. That’s what I call true brand advocacy.     When I do guest lectures with undergrad and grad students at UT Austin or speak to professional women at The WIT Network events, I see the same fear show up:    “What if they don't like me?”  “What if I sound too confident?”  “How can I be truly me while at work, I could get fired?!”    Here's what I wish someone had told me earlier: You don’t need permission to start showing up as your truest self. The sooner you learn to be unapologetically you in your career, the sooner you’ll attract the RIGHT opportunities for YOU, not what people think you should do.    And guess what, LinkedIn’s 2024 Future of Work Report said that 77% of professionals believe building a personal brand is more important than ever.  So, if you're a business professional wanting more out of your career here’s what I want you to know:    Different is Better   🟣 As Sally Hogshead famously says, 'Different is better than better. Don’t change who you are, become more of who you are.' Your greatest advantage isn't just doing your job well, it's your story, your perspective, your unique energy. Don't make your title the headline of your life; instead, embrace what makes you distinctly valuable.    Your Network is Your Net Worth   🟣 Build relationships before you need them. Your network is your net worth, yes, but it’s also your mirror. The right people help you see what you can’t yet see in yourself.    Perceptions are Reality   🟣 People are going to dislike you. Get over that. What matters is that you attract the right people into your life and make them your advocates! So each moment is a way for you to show up and create the reality you desire. You already have a brand. The way you write, speak, show up in meetings, it’s all shaping how people experience you. Be intentional.    No more excuses. Your voice matters and it’s time for you to show up 100% as you. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you at the start of your career?    #LIPostingDayApril #PersonalBranding #Leadership #CareerAdvice #StandOutAuthority  

Your personal brand matters. Building a strong personal brand allowed me to build a community of 500k+ of you across social media, multiple six-figure gigs, and a career that I love. In today’s world, your brand isn’t optional. Whether you’re actively building it or not, it’s being shaped every day by the way you show up. And here’s the truth: A strong personal brand doesn’t just set you apart — it creates opportunities. It builds connections, opens doors, and fosters trust in ways that can elevate your career or business. When I started building my personal brand, I felt overwhelmed. I wondered if I had anything “unique” to offer. But the more I leaned into my authentic self — my story, my voice, and my values — the more I realized that personal branding isn’t about being the loudest or the most polished. It’s about being real, intentional, and impactful. Here’s how I’ve approached personal branding: - Be consistent - Share your story - Add value Start asking yourself what you want your personal brand to say, and how you want people to feel when they think of you. Build a brand that authentically represents who you are and the impact you want to make. It’s your story, and you have the power to shape how it’s told. Let’s rewrite it and change the narrative. #StephSynergy

When someone asks who you are in a professional setting how do you respond? Do you only mention your job title or the company you work for? I’ve learned that for many of us, our identities become so tied to the places we work that we forget who we are without the company name in our email signature And I get it when you’re early (or at any point) in your career, it can feel validating to be associated with a recognizable brand But at some point, you have to ask yourself if the job went away tomorrow, what would people still know you for? That’s the power of personal branding It’s not just about aesthetics or having a perfect elevator pitch It’s about making sure your values, your expertise, and your presence speak for you… Regardless of where you work You deserve to be known for you and you alone So today, I want y’all to sit with a few questions: ✨ Who are you and what do you want to be known for? ✨ What strengths, skills, or stories do you carry that others can’t replicate? ✨ In what ways are you already building a reputation without realizing it? Personal branding isn’t reserved for influencers or executives It starts now with how you show up, what you share, and how you make people feel What do you want your name to hold weight for? Let me know in the comments⬇️ #personalbranding #earlycareer #presence