Balancing personal branding and thought leadership is tricky. How can you excel at both?

Establish yourself as an expert in a specific area within your field. Share insights that educate, inspire, or solve problems for your audience. Build credibility by sharing valuable insights before self-promotion. Ensure all content reflects your expertise and aligns with your chosen niche.

Your personal brand is an extension of who you are professional and as a thought leader. Your values, expertise on various topics/issues, and show up throughout life are reflected in your work, family and community. To excel at both means being authentic in ever interaction by finding opportunities to share your knowledge with others, being open to engaging in new opportunities to grow and building a reputation as a compassionate leader, ready to not only give direction but take it - and listen to others for guidance and direction. By doing so, you create a brand that people can admire, inspire to achieve and seek out.

There’s always a temptation amongst people on LinkedIn that they need to write and create in a particular style. You know the type. Single line sentences. Atypical structure of problem, elaboration, solution, and CTA. It might be effective but it comes across as incredibly inauthentic. The people who follow you want to hear how YOU express yourself on the daily. They don’t want to see a made-up self. You would want to see inauthenticity. Personal brand is about vulnerability. If you can’t afford that, then there’s no brand to talk about.

Think of it like a cocktail: mix a shot of expertise, a splash of authenticity, and a twist of engagement. Shake well and serve consistently! Consistency is the key along with building expertise in your area through being updated about latest innovations in your area.

A more solid definition of a personal brand is the values you hold as a person and how others perceive you—not what content you post. For instance, when you watch Gary Vee online, what personal values do you see? Too many folks are focused on the content creation aspect of personal branding rather than the emotional mindset of wanting to help others. For example, I am a strong people person, being a former teacher, and my mission is to lower global suicide rates by 30% by the year 2030. The content I produce around that does not really matter—as who I am underneath portrays the personality I have when meeting folks face to face. The camera cannot capture all the traits of an individual.

Content is king in personal branding & thought leadership. It's not just about showcasing expertise but crafting relevant narratives that resonate deeply. According to a HBR (2019) article, effective personal branding involves defining your unique value proposition via stories that illustrate your impact & authenticity. By auditing your current brand equity & refining your narrative, you can align perceptions with aspirations. Engaging in thoughtful content pushed via various vehicles, allows you to amplify your voice, share valuable insights, & cultivate a reputation that distinguishes you in your industry. This deliberate approach enhances visibility, credibility & fosters meaningful connections that helps open doors to new opportunities.

Consistent interaction with your audience builds trust and reinforces your expertise. By sharing insights frequently, you stay top-of-mind and demonstrate your commitment to your field. This regularity also helps you refine your message and adapt to audience needs. Remember, thought leadership isn't about knowing everything, but about fostering dialogue. Engagement allows you to learn from others, shaping your ideas and brand simultaneously.

This doesn’t need to be daily or weekly content creation but it does need to be regular engagement with the community you’re involved in. Keep up with what’s going on and if you’ve something valuable to add then contribute wholeheartedly and with clarity.

Networking is more than meeting new people; it's about connecting with those who can challenge and enhance your thinking. Engage actively with thought leaders and professionals in your field by participating in industry events, joining professional groups, and initiating conversations on platforms like LinkedIn. Build relationships and collaborate on projects to exchange ideas and gain new perspectives. Use these insights to inform your content and approach, staying ahead of the curve and continuously innovating. Share your expertise and support others, contributing to the community while also benefiting from diverse viewpoints.

In my opinion balancing personal branding and thought leadership requires a strategic approach. Strengthen your personal brand through activities like updating LinkedIn, while investing time in research and content creation to enhance thought leadership

If you’ve got your personal values properly Aligned then this balance should come naturally. By participating regularly in professional networks then you’ll gravitate to areas where you can contribute effectively, efficiently and in an engaging way.

Balancing personal branding and leadership involves a delicate equilibrium between showcasing your unique identity and fostering a collaborative team environment. Here are some ways: 1. Authenticity- Be genuine in both your personal branding and leadership style. 2. Lead by Example: Demonstrate the qualities you wish to promote in your personal brand through your actions. Leading by example reinforces your brand and strengthens your leadership impact. 3. Balance Self-Promotion with Humility: While it's important to share your achievements, do so with humility. Acknowledge the contributions of your team and the support of others, which fosters a positive team culture and enhances your leadership image.

You also need to understand and measure what is resonating with your audience, and what is not. Focus more on what is resonating with respect to insights and problems you focus on solving and lean into those areas.

In my view balancing personal branding and thought leadership is not tricky. They actually complement each other. More you work on one, second becomes visible. In other words, you work on thought leadership, personal branding is getting created. You work on personal branding, people start seeing thought leadership in you.

When your personal brand and professional activity are aligned you can contribute with integrity and gravitas. These contributions will naturally shine and you’ll build your brand seemingly effortlessly.