Creating a Magnetic Brand Experience: The Power of Your Personal Impact.
Think about a brand experience that left an impression on you. Perhaps it was receiving an online order earlier than expected. Or maybe it was a restaurant where every detail from the welcome to the farewell felt perfectly orchestrated.
Which experiences have you enthusiastically shared with friends, essentially becoming an unpaid brand ambassador because the impact was so powerful?
Recently, I needed to purchase art supplies for my daughter. I walked into an art shop clutching a list, wearing what I can only describe as my deer-in-headlights expression. The shelves were overwhelming—everything looked identical, and I couldn't distinguish acrylic paint from any other type, let alone select the right brand.
A store assistant noticed my confusion and asked if I needed help. When I began reading my list, she asked if she could take a look. Then she did something remarkable—she picked up a basket and proceeded to shop the entire list for me, creating the most effortless customer experience possible.
As she selected each item, she explained what she was choosing and why. Instead of pushing expensive brands, she recommended products perfect for my nine-year-old daughter's needs.
The experience culminated with an unexpected discount at checkout—their way of thanking me for choosing their store.
It was such a simple interaction, yet so impactful that when I need to recommend an art supply store or purchase additional materials, there's simply no other option in my mind. I've become a devoted customer because she saved me time and frustration while respecting my decision-making role in the purchase.
Your Personal Brand Experience.
This brings us to a crucial question: What is your brand experience?
When people engage with you, what do they expect? How do they feel after an interaction with you? What story will they tell others about you? Consider these elements that contribute to creating a positive personal brand experience:
Are you fully present and engaged in your interactions?
Do you provide a quality listening experience?
Do you inspire genuine trust?
Do you reliably follow up on projects and commitments?
Do you complete work thoroughly and on time?
Do you take ownership of situations, even difficult ones?
Do you pay attention to important details?
Do you demonstrate care about others' needs?
Do you consistently go above and beyond expectations?
When you can honestly answer "yes" to these questions, you've created enthusiastic advocates among your colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
The Ultimate Brand Test: Would Others Recommend You?
Here's the real benchmark question: Would others readily recommend you?
Think about those classic Mafia movies where your acceptance depends entirely on whether the boss vouches for you. Once that happens, no further explanation is necessary. His word serves as a guarantee that you'll deliver as promised.
If you fail to deliver, both your reputation and the boss's credibility are compromised.
Are people willing to vouch for you with this level of confidence? Do your actions inspire this depth of trust? Or would someone hesitate before recommending you because of inconsistent performance or negative past experiences?
The next time you deliver work, imagine you're stamping it with your personal brand seal of quality. People will notice how you showed up, the work's calibre, your level of ownership, and your consistency in delivery.
Based on your performance, would others risk their own reputation by putting your name forward?
The Owner Mindset in Action.
Branding is not something you do; it is who you are. To elevate yourself to a level of trust for others, adopt an owner mindset. This attitude is shaped by a proactive approach to situations, finding solutions rather than waiting for them to be dished out. It’s stepping up and contributing rather than saying, "This isn’t my role."
Ask yourself:
When unexpected challenges arise, do you dismiss them as "not my problem," or do you take ownership and actively collaborate to generate solutions?
Do you own the process from beginning to end? Sending an email and hoping the person received it or assuming they’ve done their part is not an owner mindset.
This is not something you do once and hope it will transform your brand; it is part of your identity and how you live your life.
Building Your Positive Brand Experience.
Don't panic thinking you need to put on an elaborate performance with every interaction, but do consider these straightforward practices that will significantly enhance your personal brand:
Presence.
Creating a powerful brand experience begins with being fully present and engaged. People intuitively sense when you're mentally elsewhere, even during active conversation. Make them feel like they're your most important priority in that moment.
Choose your Words.
The words you attach to your experiences literally become your experiences. When someone asks how you're doing, do you automatically respond with "exhausted," "stressed," or "overwhelmed"? Do you describe challenging situations as "nightmares" or "impossible"?
Start noticing your habitual vocabulary and replacing draining language with words that make interactions with you more pleasant. I'm not suggesting artificial positivity, but try describing a situation as a "challenge" rather than an "impossibility." Share that you're feeling "unsettled" rather than "stuck." It all begins with that internal conversation only you hear.
Body Language.
If your typical day were filmed as a reality show and people watched with the sound muted, what would they see? Would they observe smiles and warmth, or frowns, tension, and visible frustration? Your body language communicates more powerfully than words ever could. What message is your non-verbal communication sending?
The Non-Verbal 3 Ps.
Are you Punctual, actively Participating in meetings, and thoroughly Prepared? These three elements alone can dramatically impact your personal brand experience.
Professional Appearance.
Are you inspiring trust through your presentation? As Sylvia Ann Hewlett wisely advises, dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Your appearance creates an immediate impact in any environment. It's about appropriate presentation while remaining authentic to yourself.
If you visited a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant and were served by a waiter in flip-flops, it would detract from the experience regardless of the food's excellence. Consider your personal brand as a complete package, not isolated elements.
Consistency.
This might be the most crucial element. If you deliver an exceptional experience one day and a disappointing one the next, people can't develop confidence in working with you. Simply maintain consistency and continually show up as your best self.
The Power of Gratitude.
In his book The Professional Service Firm 50, Tom Peters emphasises the importance of client gratitude. Your clients make your work possible and deserve your appreciation.
When you catch yourself grumbling or making sarcastic comments about clients, pause and redirect toward gratitude.
As Peters wisely notes: "We are exactly as good as the clients who push us the hardest."
If you approach client interactions or projects with resentment, consider how that negative energy permeates your body language, non-verbal cues, and overall presence. What energy are you transmitting to those who work with you?
Now imagine how differently you would show up if you viewed challenges as being "on the way" rather than "in the way."
How are these situations helping you grow? What lessons are they offering you and your team? How might you transform this into an exceptional experience for both your client and colleagues?
What if you're actually in your ideal position but haven't recognised it because you haven't paused to appreciate what you have?
When you approach situations with genuine gratitude, your focus naturally shifts toward what's present rather than what's lacking. From this mindset, you can only create a magnetic brand experience.
Your Brand is The Promise You Keep.
Brands that consistently keep their promises earn trust and loyalty.
When you honour your commitments, people naturally promote you. They'll vouch for your reliability and, even more importantly, look forward to working with you again.
How do you begin? Develop an owner's mindset and become intentional about creating positive experiences. Regularly consider what it's like to work with you by genuinely putting yourself in others' positions.
If you're still unsure where to start, simply keep your promises—everything else will naturally align.
Here's to showing up as an owner,
Warm wishes,
Lori