5 Questions to Unlock Your Personal Brand
Your personal brand is basically a mix of everything that makes you, well, you—your skills, interests, passions, and experiences. It's how you present yourself, both online and in real life, and is often associated with platforms like LinkedIn. But personal branding isn’t just about social media—it’s about showing who you really are and how that comes through in your work. It might take a bit of time to work out how best to showcase your personality online, but when it comes to growing your organisation, it can make all the difference.
For VCSE leaders, this is particularly important. As funding becomes more competitive, charities need to build trust within their local business communities, and creating personal connections is a big part of that. Your personal brand can really help here—especially on platforms like LinkedIn. It’s a great way to show that you’re not just a professional leader with expertise, but someone with personality and relatable interests.
In this blog, I’ll give you a sneak peek into one of my workshops and share five key questions to help you unlock your personal brand. I’d recommend grabbing a notebook and pen to jot down your answers as we go!
1) What’s your favourite part of your job?
Start by writing down what an average ‘day in the life’ at work looks like for you. Once you have it on paper, take a moment to reflect on it. Ask yourself: What do I do that none of my friends seem to do in their jobs? Which parts of my role bring me the most joy? And why do those tasks make my job more enjoyable?
Often, our roles are closely tied to what we’re passionate about. For example, if you work in the arts and culture sector, your day might involve enjoying incredible performances, seeing kids experience art for the first time, or curating exhibitions that celebrate local history. You’re likely in that role because you care deeply about the field. By pinpointing your favourite aspects of the job, you’ll uncover what really drives your passion.
2) What’s a problem in the world that you’d love to solve?
It’s a big question, and while I’m no Fairy Godmother who can wave a wand and end world hunger (and don’t even get me started on trying to fix politics!), it’s worth considering. If you had the power to solve one problem, what would it be? What issue tugs at your heartstrings or keeps you up at night? This can be a powerful way to reflect on your passions and purpose.
For many working in the third sector, the problem they’re passionate about solving is often closely tied to the work they’re already doing—whether through their job or in their spare time. This question is about tapping into what truly drives you. What injustice in the world do you feel compelled to change? Thinking about this can reveal the deeper motivations behind your work and help shape your personal brand around the causes you care about most.
3) If you could give a TEDX-style talk on 1 topic, what would it be?
I absolutely love this question because it’s all about discovering the subjects that light you up. Maybe you’ve binge-watched countless documentaries on a niche subject and could chat about it for hours. Or perhaps you have lived experience in a particular area—whether it’s neurodiversity, mental health, disability, or discrimination. These are the topics that not only interest you but also resonate deeply with who you are, and they can be a big focus in shaping your personal brand.
These passions aren’t just something to keep to yourself—they’re perfect for sharing. Whether through LinkedIn posts, insightful articles, or simply everyday commentary, these topics could become part of the content you create. They help position you as someone with genuine expertise and a unique perspective, making your personal brand all the more authentic and engaging. So, if you had a TEDx talk to give, what would be your message to the world? That might just be the direction your personal brand takes.
4) What are your top 3 values?
Take a look at the values below and pick your top three. I know, it’s hard to narrow it down with so many “good ones” to choose from! But figuring out what you truly value most in life can give you clarity when it comes to shaping your personal brand. It also serves as a great foundation for how you approach conversations and how you present yourself.
Integrity
Loyalty
Adventure
Sustainability
Courage
Generosity
Family
Empowerment
Humour
Integrity Loyalty Adventure Sustainability Courage Generosity Family Empowerment Humour
Inclusivity
Freedom
Creativity
Wealth
Growth
Knowledge
Balance
Resilience
Inclusivity Freedom Creativity Wealth Growth Knowledge Balance Resilience
Fun
Security
Popularity
Community
Success
Honesty
Justice
Beauty
Fun Security Popularity Community Success Honesty Justice Beauty
Whenever you’re creating a post or sharing something, try asking yourself a few simple questions: Does this align with my values? Does this honour the people I care about? How does it fit into the bigger picture of what I believe in? This will help keep your brand authentic and true to who you are, ensuring that everything you put out there reflects what’s most important to you.
5) What skills do other people point out in you?
Let’s face it, we Brits aren’t the best at talking ourselves up, which is why I’ve flipped the question! Think about the skills your colleagues, friends, or family often mention you’re great at. These don’t have to be strictly “work” skills either—maybe you’re the nurturing mother-figure in your circle, you’ve got a green thumb for growing veggies, or you’re the friend everyone turns to when they need a good listener.
These qualities, even if they aren’t part of your job, are still a huge part of who you are. Your personal brand isn’t just about what you do at work—it’s about the whole of you. Sharing how these skills show up in your life is important too. You could talk about how you spend your weekends, what hobbies you enjoy, or the little things you do that reflect your personality. So, grab a pen and start listing every skill that comes to mind—you’ll be surprised how many you can think of once you get going!
To wrap up, we’ve covered some key steps for building a personal brand that truly reflects who you are. We talked about identifying your core values, passions, and the skills others see in you. These elements help shape a brand that’s both genuine and impactful.
Take some time to reflect on these points, jot down your thoughts, and think about how they fit into your daily life and online presence. By doing this, you'll create a personal brand that stands out and feels authentic.
If you need a hand with getting to grips with your personal brand, or just need someone to brainstorm ideas with,book in a free chat!
