Lesley Everett is a globally recognized personal branding expert, author, and keynote speaker who has helped individuals and organizations enhance their professional presence and achieve career success. As the founder of Walking TALL, Lesley has developed a unique approach to personal branding that empowers professionals to present themselves authentically and effectively in the business world. This blog post explores Lesley Everett’s strategies and principles and how they can be applied to achieve career success.
The Core Principles of Lesley Everett
Lesley Everett’s teachings focus on several core principles that underpin successful personal branding and professional presence. These principles form the foundation of her approach to achieving career success:
- Authenticity
- Consistency
- Visibility
- Professional Presence
Let’s explore each of these principles in detail and how they can be applied to achieve career success.
Authenticity
One of Lesley Everett’s key messages is the importance of authenticity in personal branding. Authenticity involves being true to yourself, your values, and your unique strengths, and ensuring that your external persona aligns with your internal identity.
Application in Career Success:
- Self-Reflection: Take the time to understand your core values, strengths, and passions. Reflect on what makes you unique and how you can leverage these qualities in your career.
- Genuine Interactions: Engage with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders in a genuine and sincere manner. Authenticity fosters trust and builds strong professional relationships.
- Authentic Storytelling: Share your personal story and experiences in a way that resonates with your audience. Authentic storytelling can create a deeper connection and leave a lasting impression.
For example, if you value integrity and transparency, ensure that these values are evident in your professional interactions and decisions. Authenticity helps build a reputation that is trustworthy and respected in your industry.
Consistency
Consistency is another crucial element of personal branding. Lesley Everett emphasizes that to build a strong and recognizable brand, you must consistently present your brand values, messaging, and visual identity across all platforms and interactions.
Application in Career Success:
- Brand Messaging: Develop a clear and consistent message that reflects your professional identity and goals. Ensure that this message is conveyed in all your communications, from your resume and LinkedIn profile to your email signature and business cards.
- Visual Identity: Maintain a consistent visual identity, including your professional attire, online profiles, and presentation materials. Consistency in visual elements reinforces your brand image.
- Behavior and Performance: Consistently demonstrate your core values and strengths in your daily work. Reliability and consistency in your performance build a positive and dependable reputation.
Consider the brand consistency of leaders like Elon Musk, whose communication and actions consistently reflect his innovative and ambitious vision. This consistency strengthens his personal brand and influence.
Visibility
Visibility is a key aspect of Lesley Everett’s personal branding strategy. It involves ensuring that your professional presence is seen and recognized by the right people within your industry and network.
Application in Career Success:
- Networking: Actively participate in industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities. Building a strong professional network increases your visibility and opens doors to new opportunities.
- Online Presence: Maintain an active and professional online presence, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn. Share insights, engage with industry content, and contribute to discussions to enhance your visibility.
- Public Speaking and Writing: Take advantage of opportunities to speak at events, contribute to industry publications, or write blog posts. Sharing your expertise publicly positions you as a thought leader and increases your visibility.
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, is an excellent example of someone who has effectively used visibility to advance her career. Through public speaking, writing, and active engagement in professional networks, she has built a strong personal brand and influence.
Professional Presence
Professional presence, as taught by Lesley Everett, involves the way you present yourself in professional settings, including your demeanor, communication style, and appearance. A strong professional presence can significantly impact your career success.
Application in Career Success:
- Demeanor: Cultivate a confident, approachable, and positive demeanor. Your attitude and behavior influence how others perceive and interact with you.
- Communication Style: Develop clear, concise, and effective communication skills. Active listening, empathy, and assertiveness are key components of a strong communication style.
- Appearance: Pay attention to your professional appearance, ensuring it aligns with your brand values and the expectations of your industry. This includes your attire, grooming, and body language.
Lesley Everett’s emphasis on professional presence can be seen in leaders like Michelle Obama, whose confident demeanor, effective communication, and polished appearance contribute to her powerful and respected professional presence.
Practical Strategies for Career Success Inspired by Lesley Everett
Building on the core principles discussed, here are some practical strategies inspired by Lesley Everett that can help you achieve career success:
- Define Your Personal Brand:
- Clearly articulate your personal brand values, strengths, and goals. Ensure that your brand message is consistent across all platforms and interactions.
- Engage in Authentic Networking:
- Build genuine relationships within your industry by engaging in authentic networking. Attend events, participate in discussions, and connect with peers and mentors who share your values and interests.
- Enhance Your Online Presence:
- Maintain an active and professional online presence. Share valuable content, engage with industry leaders, and contribute to discussions to increase your visibility and influence.
- Develop Effective Communication Skills:
- Invest in developing your communication skills, including active listening, empathy, and assertiveness. Effective communication is essential for building strong professional relationships and advancing your career.
- Pay Attention to Professional Appearance:
- Ensure that your professional appearance aligns with your brand values and industry expectations. A polished and appropriate appearance contributes to a strong professional presence.
- Seek Feedback and Continuous Improvement:
- Regularly seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, and clients to identify areas for improvement. Commit to continuous learning and development to enhance your skills and effectiveness.
- Leverage Public Speaking and Writing Opportunities:
- Take advantage of opportunities to speak at industry events, contribute to publications, or write blog posts. Sharing your expertise publicly positions you as a thought leader and increases your visibility.
- Demonstrate Consistency and Reliability:
- Consistently demonstrate your core values and strengths in your daily work. Reliability and consistency in your performance build a positive and dependable reputation.
Real-Life Examples of Success
To illustrate the impact of Lesley Everett’s principles, consider the following real-life examples:
- Simon Sinek: As a leadership expert and author, Simon Sinek has built a strong personal brand through consistent messaging, public speaking, and a professional presence that aligns with his values of inspiring others to find their “why.”
- Brené Brown: Known for her research on vulnerability and leadership, Brené Brown exemplifies authenticity and visibility. Her genuine storytelling and active engagement with her audience have positioned her as a thought leader in her field.
- Oprah Winfrey: Oprah’s authenticity, consistency, and strong professional presence have been key to her success. Her ability to connect with her audience and share her personal story has made her a global icon.
Conclusion
Lesley Everett’s principles of authenticity, consistency, visibility, and professional presence provide a robust framework for achieving career success. By adopting these principles and applying the practical strategies outlined in this post, you can elevate your professional presence and achieve your career goals.
Remember, personal branding is not just about self-promotion; it’s about presenting your authentic self in a way that resonates with others and aligns with your career aspirations. As Lesley Everett often says, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Embrace these principles, and you will be well on your way to a successful and fulfilling career.
