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Tag: authenticity

  • Authentic Leadership Does Not Mean Bringing Your Whole Self to Work

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    Do you remember during Covid, logging on to online meetings, sometimes wearing pajamas, often with family members showing up in the background? Perhaps, this is what triggered the mantra to “bring our whole selves to work.” Authentic leadership is celebrated. Everyone should seek to be transparent. Right? Not exactly. 

    As a communication coach, I encourage my clients to consciously distinguish between transparency versus authenticity. Authenticity means being real, consistent, and true to your values. Transparency can lean into sharing everything. 

    I’m always authentic, but I don’t share everything I’m thinking, or everything I’ve experienced. Neither should you. Why not? Because being fully transparent can be interpreted as oversharing, which can be overwhelming and unprofessional. 

    The consistency of professionals

    A few years ago, I interviewed marketing guru and author Seth Godin for my Talk About Talk podcast.  

    “I have a whole rant about authenticity, as you know,” he said, highlighting the common assumption that authenticity means full transparency. “I do not know each other well. So I have no idea if you’re having a good day or not because you’re a professional. Professionals are consistent.”   

    Academic research supports Godin’s position. In a 2024 study from the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, researchers assessed 64 leaders and 162 followers over five days. The results proved that consistency was a key factor in predicting positive outcomes, such as work engagement and reduced emotional irritation. 

    Along with authenticity and transparency, professionalism and consistency have entered the debate. How can leaders consider this in a way that demonstrates effective leadership? Here are three things that I share with my clients to help them navigate the authenticity versus transparency tightrope: 

    1. You are always authentic. 

    Your words and your behaviors are valid and represent your true self. You do not misrepresent your opinions. 

    2. You are not fully transparent. 

    You do not share everything. Oversharing can be overwhelming for other people. It can also come across as unprofessional. Remember what Godin highlighted. “What’s most important is being professional.” In our interview, he provided some vivid examples. Regardless of whether “your cat had just thrown up behind the refrigerator, you had athlete’s foot, and you were cranky about all those things,” you still show up consistently.  

    3. You filter. 

    You consciously consider what parts of your thoughts and identities you share at work. I call this filtering. Researchers who conducted a 20-year review of academic research on authentic leadership call this bounded authenticity. You show up as consistent and professional. 

    Here’s the bottom line: Be authentic, but curate what you share. Consistently protect your professionalism and your boundaries. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    The final deadline for the 2026 Inc. Regionals Awards is Friday, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

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    Andrea Wojnicki

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  • Why it Might Pay to be ‘Playful’ at Work

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    The office, many people would have you try to believe, is a serious place where serious people do serious things to bring in serious revenues — and earn serious rewards. Just look at the uptight traditional ideas about what’s acceptable office wear to get a hint at this notion. But new research suggests that if you’re careful about it, mingling a little of a particular childhood trait into your office habits might actually be a good thing. Playfulness, it seems, can earn you respect from your colleagues and bosses.

    The research, newly published in Nature, defines playfulness as being a complex, “multifaceted trait” which melds being social with lightheartedness, intellectual creativity, and being whimsical. It’s quite easy to imagine someone behaving like this in the home, or at a non-work social activity, and the researchers point out that there’s plenty of studies into the value of play in these settings — but not necessarily about its value in the workplace. 

    What might playfulness in a work setting look like? It’s pretty easy to imagine that a playful office character might be one who uses puns, and maybe gentle pranks from time to time…but it doesn’t have to be so directly humor-related — playfulness could include silliness or irreverence at opportune and non-disruptive moments, like suggesting a silly answer to a question in a group environment. Playful people are “often spontaneous and intrinsically motivated,” (i.e. they may be true to their own ideals, even in a strict team setting) the report notes, and being playful in the office is a “highly observable” phenomenon.

    The study concludes that the key thing being playful in an office setting does is signal that a particular person is being authentic. And this authenticity really can shape the relationships that a playful worker has with their colleagues and superiors. In fact a worker can earn “unique social power when perceived as authentic,” the report notes, placing that person in a pivotal role in building relationships among team members. The effect may be even more pronounced in a highly competitive team climate, with authenticity leading to “more social support, less social undermining, and higher leadership judgments from their peers.” In other words, a playful person seen as being true to their own character earns better support from their colleagues, which will carry through into day-to-day duties, there’s less chance for the kind of in-fighting between workers which can impact efficiency, and being authentic may make your peers see you as more of a leader-type. 

    You may have gotten this far and thought all this is so much psycho-babble. But there’s actually plenty to learn from this study for your own organization.

    As long as being playful doesn’t stray into being disruptive, the fact that this trait is linked to authenticity is important. Many reports link authenticity with better workplace results, since it’s good to be around authentic people — particularly in leadership roles. 

    The report also notes that there may be a trend among workers to suppress their “natural instincts to play” due to “increasing competitive pressures in the contemporary business world.” And with so many headlines covering layoff after layoff, the pressure AI is exerting on the job market, the rise of more strict management thinking, and many other factors this makes sense. 

    But the researchers suggest “employees should not be afraid to express their playful nature in the workplace, as it can facilitate positive social effects, especially in a highly competitive work climate.” Similarly, since some people are not naturally playful, and authenticity is about being genuine, then the report encourages companies to “make room and allow for play and playfulness at work,” which may boost innovation, team dynamics and allow workers unique qualities to “shine through at the workplace.”

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    Kit Eaton

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  • How to Leverage Authenticity to Build True Customer Loyalty | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Build trust through authenticity. That’s not a slogan or a strategy. It’s something I practice every day in my company. Why is authenticity important? Consumers today are more informed and have the means to compare brands at their fingertips, anywhere, at any time, making them less loyal than ever.

    They’re also bombarded with marketing, ads and polished brand statements at every turn. But what they really want is to connect on a human level. They want to feel seen, heard and valued.

    At our recent team retreat, we spent most of the time talking about Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara — the idea that businesses should go beyond what’s expected to care more, listen more, and create moments that feel personal and real.

    Unreasonable hospitality hits home for my team because it’s all about thinking outside the customer service box and showing that you genuinely care. That’s been my company’s M.O. from the very beginning.

    Related: How to Bring Authenticity to Your Startup’s Marketing Strategy

    Experiences sell

    We’re in a time when features just aren’t enough to win people over. Especially in industries like dentistry (or fitness, or financial services or home services) where most direct competitors are offering something pretty similar, the difference is in the experience.

    I want my clients’ patients to remember how they felt more than whether they received the product or service they wanted. That personal connection will keep them coming back and drive them to refer others.

    Realness matters

    One thing I’ve come to appreciate since starting my own business is the freedom to be my authentic self. I don’t have to conform to someone else’s brand or voice or hide any part of my identity. I engage in substantive conversations with my clients every day, free from the bureaucracy and limitations of corporate marketing agencies.

    Because my clients know they’re getting the real me and not someone towing the corporate line, they also feel freer to reveal who they truly are. When that happens, we get to the heart of what they need and want right away and can get to work much faster.

    Trying to be trendy isn’t trendy

    With TikTok and Instagram ruling social media, it’s been a race for brands big and small to dominate on these platforms. Some have figured out how to make social media trends work for them, while others have failed miserably. As a marketing professional, the most important piece of advice I can offer a client is this: If something doesn’t feel like you, don’t do it.

    If a certain trend doesn’t seem like something your company would do, your audience will know. People can feel the difference between something genuine and something forced. You don’t have to jump on every new trend or copy what other brands are doing. Staying true to your brand’s values will serve your business better in the long term and help you avoid social media snafus that may be hard to recover from. No one wants to go viral for the wrong reasons.

    Related: How to Ensure Authenticity in Marketing and Build a Loyal Audience

    If you want humans to like you, be human

    While good customer service is essential, at the end of the day, it’s not enough to separate one business from another. To create loyal customers, or patients in the case of my clients, you must evoke emotions. How someone feels after they’ve completed a transaction, received a service, spoken to your receptionist on the phone or interacted with the staff in your office — that’s going to stick with them.

    That’s what they’ll remember next time they need the product or service your company provides. That’s what they’ll talk about to their friends and family members. And that’s what will bring them back.

    Build trust through authenticity. That’s not a slogan or a strategy. It’s something I practice every day in my company. Why is authenticity important? Consumers today are more informed and have the means to compare brands at their fingertips, anywhere, at any time, making them less loyal than ever.

    They’re also bombarded with marketing, ads and polished brand statements at every turn. But what they really want is to connect on a human level. They want to feel seen, heard and valued.

    At our recent team retreat, we spent most of the time talking about Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara — the idea that businesses should go beyond what’s expected to care more, listen more, and create moments that feel personal and real.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Jackie Cullen

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  • Unbelievable facts

    Unbelievable facts

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    Taco Bell’s two attempts to penetrate the Mexican market ended in failure, as locals…

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  • Authenticity in Relationships

    Authenticity in Relationships

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    ‘In insecure relationships, we disguise our vulnerabilities so our partner never really sees us.’

    Dr. Sue Johnson

    Will you be there for me?

    According to Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), most arguments in relationships are protests over emotional disconnection. Underneath the fights, partners are wondering: Are you there for me? Can I count on you? Do I matter to you? Do you value and accept me?

    We all seek secure connections with our loved ones. Through this bond, we can feel safe and become emotionally dependent on each other for nurturing and protection. This is essential for our emotional wellbeing. With healthy dependency, we then feel secure enough to step outside our comfort zone and take risks, knowing we have someone who cares in our corner.

    John Bowlby, father of attachment theory, emphasized that our ability to relate to others and create close, intimate connections is the ultimate barometer of healthy functioning. And isn’t that what’s missing in our modern society now? While we are surrounded by many people online and in real life, many individuals feel alone and disconnected. Many feel fearful about being truly seen and vulnerable as it hasn’t been safe for them before. Even in committed relationships, people struggle showing up authentically. They often feel distant from their partners. They feel unseen, unknown and lonely.

    Loneliness isn’t about being alone. It’s about feeling disconnected from others, even in a room full of people. Hence, to feel less lonely we need authentic relationships. Many individuals who are single think that once they find “the one” they will never feel lonely again, and yet there are many people in relationships who feel so utterly alone.

    Our Need to Co-Regulate

    Brains scan studies by J. Coan parallel Bowlby’s concept of “contact comfort,” the idea that secure relationships create perceptions of a safer world. Studies of visual perception also show that if we stand in front of a hill alone, our brain actually estimates the hill to be higher than if we have a friend with us. What this shows is that the brain takes proximity to social resources into account even in basic perception processes (Schnall, Harber, Stefanucci, &Proffitt, 2008; Gross & Profitt, 2013). We need others by our side, people we can count on and rely on. Research shows that co-regulation with another who feels safe to us is the most effective way of regulating, even more so that self-regulation.

    What blocks stand in the way?

    So what gets in the way of authenticity in relationships? Is it as simple as finding the right person? Is it about commitment? Unfortunately, even with partners who we think are right for us, we may experience problems showing up authentically. In order to be authentic, we must first feel safe and secure. It’s difficult to open up to someone, to put our guard down if we think they may judge and criticize us or reject and abandon us.

    Our past wounds don’t help either. Usually, we have experiences of showing up authentically and getting hurt. Sometimes this goes back to our childhoods. Early on we learn how to be, what to do and what not to do to be accepted. We all want to belong, so we will do anything not to get shunned by our caregivers. Later in life we may experience bad breakups, ridicule by someone we loved, betrayals, bullying and so much more that will leave its mark and make us feel unsafe to open up in this world. As I always say, people get wounded and healed in relationships.

    Past traumas

    Traumas can happen even with well-meaning people who just don’t know any better, who struggle with their own blocks and are unaware. We tend to think of trauma as big, life changing events such as abuse, wars, assaults, natural disasters, etc. But trauma is all about perception. What may be perceived as traumatic by one person may not be perceived as trauma by another. While big traumas are evident, so much of smaller traumas can be subtle. And yet, they can add up and affect someone’s view of self, others and the world. Sometimes traumas are what should have happened but didn’t. So life experiences such as childhood neglect, absent and unattuned parents, parents who harshly disciplined us and were critical, bullying, painful breakups, betrayals in friendships and business endeavors can all be traumatic.

    Healing begins with Emotional Safety

    In relationships, sharing vulnerably builds bonds. Our deepest needs for a felt sense of connection are met when our partner provides us with a safe space to express ourselves. When our partner truly listens to us, we feel seen. It becomes easier to show up authentically then. Unfortunately, many couples have a hard time listening to each other during conflict discussions. It’s so important to put a hold on our own agendas and really listen to what our partners are saying, to understand them on a deeper level. This not only will help problems solve but will also create emotional safety. And this is needed for someone to show up authentically.

    Need for Repairs

    You can’t always be the perfect partner, the perfect parent, or the perfect friend. We are human and we make mistakes. But what we can do is show up and repair ruptures with our loved ones. John Gottman’s research shows us that happy couples also have conflict. But when there is a disconnection, a conversation that didn’t go well, they get back on track by making repair attempts. This is a happy couple’s “secret weapon.” So to create a sense of safety, we need to know how to soften things, how to apologize, how to help our partner feel safe to share more.

    Authenticity in relationships isn’t possible in an environment that’s full of contempt, shame, harshness, betrayal and pain. Our protective parts take over in this situation. However, creating a safe space in your relationship where you are on the same team and gentle with each other can be the start of that emotional safety that’s needed for a healthy relationship.

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    Anna Aslanian

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  • Is it Time to Recalibrate Your Life? | Love And Life Toolbox

    Is it Time to Recalibrate Your Life? | Love And Life Toolbox

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    Here we are, doing our lives in whatever that looks like for each of us.  We pass through our days in relationships, working, parenting, socializing, participating in hobbies, playing or just being. For many of us, as we age and move through different developmental stages, our perceptions, beliefs and priorities shift to some degree.  This can happen in a very subtle way, or suddenly get flipped on its head with unexpected life events, triggering a drive to burrow down more snuggly into what really matters to us.

    These times can occur without awareness of them initially. My clients often bring a general sense of dissatisfaction into therapy.

    The whispers of discontentment show themselves in a myriad of ways; malaise, stress, emptiness, loneliness, irritation, a felt sense of lack of quality relationships and/or substance abuse. Perhaps they have a sense of what needs to happen, simply needing some validation or a nudge towards change. Others don’t have clarity around why they aren’t feeling themselves but are hoping to get it.

    At some point and perhaps many, you will likely contemplate change of some kind. Mid-life is a common time for this to happen as your awareness of aging sharpens. But viewpoint changes can happen any time and are a natural part of the flow of life. They can surround your work, intimate relationship, friendships and even  your relationship with yourself.

    How do you know when it’s time to recalibrate your life?

    Is your work life satisfactory?

    If you work, like most people, you spend quite a few hours of the week (and thus, your life) doing that thing. Do you enjoy it? Is the work culture healthy? Not everyone feels they are in the position to make changes to their jobs but these days it’s become normalized to make moves at any age. Entire career changes later in life are no longer an anomaly. If your work is a source of chronic stress, for example, what is keeping you there? At what point is there a tipping point where the consequences outweigh the benefits?

    Are you happy in your relationship?

    If you are married or in a long-term relationship, is it a place of sustenance in the ways that you need? If not, have you tried to address this within the relationship? Go to couples therapy if need be. Avoid chronically sweeping issues under the rug in hopes they will go away. They will not but rather continue to slowly erode the foundation of your relationship and possibly eventually lead to a complete disconnection, whether articulated or not. The end result can be loneliness or seeking ways (consciously or unconsciously) to fill emotional gaps. Affairs often spring up out of this place.

    If you are not happy, have made efforts to improve the situation to no avail and feel you’re at a dead end, there are choices. You can choose to stay in it (there are often legitimate reasons to consider this, particularly when children are involved) or you can leave. These days couples are taking a lot of midline approaches as well such as nesting.

    Who are your friends?

    Friendship is an important part of your web of support, social connectedness being protective for mental and physical health. With busy lives seemingly the norm, choices around who you give your precious time to are all the more critical. The measure of who you allocate your life to is subjective. What works for you may not work for another.

    Start to notice the interactions you have with your friends. Do you feel heard, cared for and experience a reciprocity in the relationships?

    If you don’t feel satisfied about some of those you’ve been spending time with, perhaps you want to do so less. Might it provide more value to you to move towards those who repeatedly demonstrate their care for you rather than those who you don’t, are an emotional drain or even cause harm to you.

    Are you caring for yourself?

    Self care is a protective action, with the power to prevent depression, anxiety, resentment and overall burnout. Know what is relaxing for you, rejuvenating and brings joy. No matter how busy your life is, find time to do these things. The more you are able to recharge in the ways that appeal to you, the more emotional resources you will have to show up in the other areas of your life such as work, with family and with friends.

    Begin to think of self care in the same way as nutrition, physical activity and sleep. If you’ve previously attached self care to selfishness, it’s time to rethink this paradigm. Taking care of yourself in this way is akin to the “oxygen mask first” concept, your body, heart and mind all needing this to function optimally.

    What is emotionally unresolved?

    Much of the ability to change the above is dependent upon where you are psychologically.  You are more likely make shifts in your relationships, for example, if you don’t have deeper level emotional obstacles sabotaging your progress. You might be clear it would be beneficial to rethink some of these aspects of your life but be challenged in actually doing it. Why is this?

    Prior emotional and relationship wounds can become vulnerabilities in your sense of self and how you relate to others. The coping mechanisms once effectively used to get through those experiences can become long term ways of operating and usually no longer needed. For example, if you learned that pleasing people would keep you emotionally safer than offering your opinions or speaking your mind, it would be understandably difficult to try to move away from friendships that don’t feel good now. Family of origin work can be really helpful, to help you understand the roots of your issues and how to untangle them.

    Who are you?

    If this is not clear, perhaps you need to spend some time doing some of the work described above. Those who have a clear sense of self typically feel internally secure, love themselves and find it more natural to show up outwardly in alignment with who they are inwardly. Authenticity is a sweet spot where you feel at ease expressing yourself, rather than editing, monitoring or possibly not offering much out of fear it won’t be accepted.

    Maybe you haven’t really known who you are up to now, but would like to. This is not unusual, by the way. I’ve had many clients come to therapy trying to figure out who they are. If you unwrap their story, it becomes so clear as to why they don’t know! But they learn. You can always learn.

    All of the above can come into play when considering whether it’s time for a life reset. There are of course many other areas you can look at but these primary buckets are big ticket items as they can be steeped with emotional payoffs and consequences.

    Change moments aren’t about beating yourself up about how you’ve been before, but quite the contrary. They are an opportunity to reflect upon who you have been and who you want to be. If you are considering changes, it signals a growth mindset, desire for happiness and a curiosity about what the future could hold for you along whatever paths you choose to take.

     

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    Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT

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  • Unconventional Leadership Tactics That Define a True Leader | Entrepreneur

    Unconventional Leadership Tactics That Define a True Leader | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    We have all likely experienced a horrible boss. Someone on a power trip who micromanages, rarely communicates, holes up in a corner office and sets themselves apart from their team. The Horrible Bosses movies probably come to mind. That approach to leadership is a one-way ticket to disgruntled employees, a toxic workplace and poor business performance.

    I have found that taking a more unconventional approach to leadership creates happy, engaged employees who come to work each day ready to kick butt. Leaders who want to take a similar approach can learn from how we are flipping the script on leadership at VizyPay, putting people first by:

    Related: How to Retain Employees Through ‘Servant’ Leadership

    1. Walking side-by-side on the journey

    One of the hardest things to do as a leader is to help employees view you not as a leader but as a partner. This means ditching the mindset that you are the boss and it’s your way or the highway. The best leaders want to learn and grow with their teams, walking next to them on the road to success — not in front of or behind.

    While your team intuitively knows you are their leader, the key is for your interactions to make team members feel that you are someone who truly understands them, communicates honestly with them, is willing to listen to them and understands what makes them tick.

    I personally hate the title of CEO. It is a daily reminder of power. I want everyone on my team to understand I am not in any way above them but instead a partner walking alongside them. I want to build relationships with my team and not be considered “above” joining in on activities like playing ping pong, having a beer or playing cards.

    From the very beginning of our interview process, we focus on finding the right fit for the culture by throwing out resumes because it is far more important to get to know candidates on a level beyond their education or past experience. Additionally, no matter what role the candidate is gunning for, they always meet with the CEO (myself) or another managing partner to immediately establish a horizontal hierarchy and further solidify our place as their partner on their journey. I encourage other leaders to do the same.

    2. Creating an unmatched work environment

    Effective leaders also create a work environment that employees can’t get anywhere else. Creating a work environment that is not cookie-cutter corporate is a massive risk, but it pays dividends in increasing employee loyalty. A work environment that provides freedom and a people-first culture is not something your employees are going to find in other companies.

    The bottom line is that if someone can go out and find hundreds of workplaces like yours, you have failed to care for the individuals committed to your organization.

    At my company, our work environment is the exception to the norm and might best be described as fast-paced, controlled chaos and a safe space where employees feel free to be themselves. There is a high level of accountability as well as a lot of perks, which aligns with our work hard first, play hard second mentality.

    Untraditionally, I encourage other entrepreneurs to embrace everyone’s genuine style, not just their professional personas. Building an unmatched work environment means allowing the lines of work and personal life to merge. Do not leave everything at the door when you clock in. Instead, encourage your employees to talk about their struggles and what’s going on in life, be real with one another and get uncomfortable.

    Related: How Much Does Leadership Actually Matter in a Startup?

    3. Building authentic relationships

    Bosses don’t take the time to get to know employees. Leaders do. Taking a personal interest in the lives of your employees helps build authentic relationships and mutual trust. Making it a daily habit to connect and communicate with your employees is also a great way to encourage them to take risks, think outside the box and innovate, all of which accelerate professional growth. This regular interaction can help surface information on what employees need to succeed and how you can help them if they are struggling.

    As a leader, I know the personal stories of every person on my team. I talk to employees and fist-bump them every morning. Walking around with a snack cart every other day is another way I connect and build relationships with them. An always-open door communicates to everyone that they can talk to me about anything without fear they’ll experience the wrath of “the boss.” I want everyone on the team to feel they are partners with a human being, not a jackass on a power trip. I want them to know that they are not a number or a cog in the wheel but valued partners delivering on our mission to help small businesses and disrupt the payments space.

    If C-suite leaders are serious about making an impactful change in their workplace, they should just remove their office door completely.

    Related: 12 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Sharpen Their Leadership Skills

    4. Creating opportunities for interaction and bonding

    As a leader, it is also important to create a fun environment where people want to come to work. Fun activities can help your employees destress and get to know each other better, creating a positive atmosphere that increases employee engagement.

    Our people-first workplace culture fosters an upbeat, fun environment that creates opportunities for interaction and bonding. Two examples of this are weekly-themed happy hours and annual parties that encourage people to build relationships outside of work. To that end, our employees volunteer together, attend concerts together and support each other’s families. These interactions and bonding opportunities make it easier for a team member to come to a leader for a difficult project or situation during the regular 9-5.

    As a leader, I know that a company cannot achieve anything without happy employees, and that is why I put maintaining a positive, people-first culture above anything else.

    It’s time for a more unconventional approach to leadership that focuses on improving the lives of employees. Considering that we spend a third of our lives at work, all leaders should strive to make the work experience an enjoyable, engaging journey.

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    Austin Mac Nab

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  • What Does It Mean to Be An ‘Authentic Leader,’ Anyway? | Entrepreneur

    What Does It Mean to Be An ‘Authentic Leader,’ Anyway? | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Authentic? Try genuinely cringey. After his marketing firm laid off some employees last summer, HyperSocial CEO Braden Wallake posted a tearful selfie on LinkedIn. If Wallake aimed to come off as a vulnerable, authentic leader, his gambit backfired, provoking more outrage than positive engagement. As one commenter noted, at least the “crying CEO” still had a job.

    Compare that misstep with a moving video message early in the pandemic from Arne Sorenson, the late former president and CEO of Marriott International. A drawn, weary-looking Sorenson, who is suffering from pancreatic cancer and has lost his hair during treatment, should probably be resting at home. Instead, his voice breaking, he speaks candidly of the coming mass layoffs at the hotel chain, offering his people empathy and hope.

    We know authenticity when we see it. But what does it really mean, and how can leaders do it well? Here’s where things get complicated. At Meta, in presidential politics, and as a corporate consultant, I’ve worked with hundreds of leading CEOs and public figures. And authenticity meant something different to every one of them. In fact, it’s such an overused term that it should come with its own air quotes.

    But more than ever, people want leaders to offer a glimpse of their real selves, even if that view is to some extent curated. Why is authenticity so fashionable? Social media, for better or worse, has blurred the line between public and private. Remote work and Zoom meetings only upped the ante, prompting participants to share their personal lives with strangers — right down to that well-stocked bookshelf and not-so-casually placed guitar (guilty?).

    All that aside, authenticity is far more than just a gimmick … if you can get it right.

    Related: Authentic Leadership: What Is It and Why is it Important?

    Authenticity is complicated — and that’s OK

    For bosses who put in the effort, authenticity can boost trust in them and improve workplace wellbeing. It can also make workers more engaged and productive. One study of more than 700 employees at 85 small firms showed that when business owners are perceived as more authentic leaders, staff engagement and innovation see an uptick. In another analysis of some 200 European workers from a variety of industries, there was a statistically notable positive relationship between authentic leadership and on-the-job performance.

    That said, authenticity comes with its own built-in set of pitfalls and paradoxes. Beyond the motivational posters, it’s devilishly hard to pull off in practice, and I’ve seen it done wrong far more often than done right. For leaders, mastering authenticity starts with coming to grips with three key contradictions:

    1. Authenticity can be selective and strategic

    Let’s start with a critical nuance. Authenticity doesn’t mean shooting from the hip. In fact, there’s often a calculus involved. A leader can be authentic but also thoughtful and selective — choosing which selfie to share with the world, so to speak. For politicians, strategic authenticity is almost a reflex. Ronald Reagan loved jelly beans so much that he made them a fixture in the White House, passing around a jar of his favorite brand at meetings. A calculated choice to help humanize the world’s most powerful person? Sure. But that didn’t make Reagan’s jelly bean obsession any less authentic.

    2. Authenticity demands integrity — but in the classical sense

    Strategy aside, at its core, authenticity demands integrity. I mean this in the way Socrates did: All of the parts must be consistent with the whole. A leader who strikes one pose with colleagues and a completely contrary one with friends will be hard-pressed to convey authenticity. Walmart chief executive Doug McMillon, who started out unloading trucks for the retail giant, lives and breathes this kind of integrity. In photos and videos, he often wears the same name tag as every Walmart associate, because that’s who he truly is.

    3. Authenticity requires lowering the drawbridge

    You can’t follow someone you don’t trust, and you can’t trust someone you don’t know. Ultimately, authenticity demands a certain level of vulnerability — showing a glimpse of the person behind the professional facade. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the retired U.S. Army general who commanded forces in Afghanistan, radiates this quality. I’ve seen him put privates and Presidents at ease with a candid personal anecdote or self-deprecating joke about his life and career. At a biological level, this act of opening up inspires deep reciprocity and confidence in the listener. Great leaders like McChyrstal enable people to get to know them in an instant so everyone can move on to trust and believability.

    Related: How to Become an Authentic Leader

    3 steps to authentic leadership, from beginner to expert

    Of course, mastering this in practice is easier said than done. For many leaders, opening up doesn’t (and probably shouldn’t) come naturally. Missteps — sharing too much, or the wrong thing or the right thing at the wrong time — can have real consequences. For leaders grappling with the mechanics of authenticity, here are a few stepping-stones that may help, based on conversations I’ve had with people who found compelling ways to get real.

    1. Find your on-ramp to authenticity:

    Every leader who wants to be authentic must start somewhere, by showing a little of themselves. Start by exploring what small, human detail can be your on-ramp to authenticity. This needn’t be earth-shattering or especially revelatory … as long as it’s you. Sports fan, amateur chef, gearhead, volunteer, reader, podcast listener, DIY enthusiast — all good options.

    In her early days as CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra posted micro book reviews on Facebook. The fact that Barra — an engineer at the pinnacle of American corporate life — shared those reviews with the rest of us mere mortals made them wildly popular.

    2. Set your own boundary between public and private:

    I’ve advised CEOs who shared intimate details of losing loved ones, while other leaders were reluctant to share pics of the family dog. Ultimately, there’s no “right answer” when it comes to how much of yourself to put out there. It depends on your own comfort level and an honest assessment of the risks involved.

    But here’s the thing: Authenticity will come much more easily if you invest time in thinking about and setting this boundary in advance. For instance, I’m an open book in many respects. My time in the army, hobbies (from gardening to learning guitar), even political opinions — that’s all on the table. But there are critical details about my family and friends that I simply won’t share. Part of staying grounded is holding back something from the rest of the world.

    3. If it’s scary, that means you’re doing it right:

    Reaching the next level of authentic leadership requires courage. At the end of the day, people are inspired by others who demonstrate the courage to take risks. Willingness to put your reputation on the line can speak volumes — helping cut through corporate noise and forge a real connection with an audience.

    One leader taking such a risk is Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of yogurt giant Chobani, who champions a politically charged cause: refugees. Through the Tent Partnership for Refugees, Ulukaya encourages other companies to follow Chobani’s lead by hiring those newcomers, making the case that they’re a dynamic economic engine.

    For leaders willing to get real — whatever that means to them — the rewards can outweigh the risks. I’ve carved out my own version of authenticity and helped guide others in the same direction, with positive results. Just don’t expect anyone to shed a tear if you get caught faking it.

    Related: The Surprising Secret to Authentic and Powerful Leadership

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    Craig Mullaney

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  • AI vs. a Human Touch: Finding The Right Balance When It Comes to Branding | Entrepreneur

    AI vs. a Human Touch: Finding The Right Balance When It Comes to Branding | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In a world where digital interactions dominate, the symbiotic relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and branding is transforming the landscape. While AI can’t replicate the genuine human touch, it’s emerging as a powerful tool to forge authentic connections with consumers.

    In the competitive business landscape, companies of all sizes are looking for opportunities to work smarter, faster and better than the competition. An increasing number of AI tools can assist with branding and reputation management, but the overwhelming number of options leaves many falling short.

    Related: How AI is Forcing Marketers to Reinvent the Industry

    The human connection beyond the algorithm

    The first and most important step is to understand AI as an assistive technology, not a replacement for human effort entirely. Secondly, it’s critical to be aware of the personalized, connected interactions that today’s consumers demand. Emotional connections create a resonance with potential customers, leaving them with confidence and trust in the brands they choose.

    In today’s world, branding is all about making that connection with your audience. By nature, it’s a process that requires empathy, understanding and creativity. You’re trying to figure out:

    • How to present your brand as an authority within your industry.

    • How to use branding to build trust and connection with your audience.

    • What “branding” even means to today’s audiences.

    • How you can bring this all together to succeed in branding your business properly.

    Understanding human interactions and behaviors can help you create more successful strategies in branding, marketing and beyond. When you add the power of AI, you can do even more.

    AI as a catalyst for personalization

    As we’ve learned from the use of various AI tools and machine learning models, vast amounts of data can be analyzed in a very short amount of time. For businesses looking to improve their personalization, this is a huge benefit. No longer do your employees have to spend hours sifting through and organizing customer data to deliver personalization. They can simply put the AI to work to gather insights on preferences and user expectations.

    This will allow you to deliver an enhanced customer experience that includes everything from tailored recommendations for products and services to customized messaging in your marketing campaigns. And you can do it all without having to cull the data yourself when you enlist the help of AI.

    In the past, the focus was mostly on market segmentation, or dividing audiences and defining customer personas based on certain demographics or other factors. Businesses were looking at this as a more targeted option than blanket marketing, and it became the norm. AI takes that one step further, refining the targeting process even more and allowing your brand to make connections with your customers on a deeper level.

    Related: 3 Timeless Elements of Storytelling That Will Grow Your Business

    The role of AI in storytelling and creating emotional connections

    There are several AI tools that you’re probably already using to help you tell the right story with your content. Keyword research, topic generation tools, analytics reports (that are AI-generated) — the list is longer than you might think.

    AI is a powerful element in storytelling because it can use the data provided to identify narratives that resonate with various audiences. Artificial intelligence and automated tools can help you optimize the delivery of your content, too, so that your stories find the right users at the right time.

    This also helps brands identify the emotional triggers that drive consumer behavior, which makes it easier to create an emotional connection in the brand experience. Emotional AI is even becoming more popular, as tools that can identify emotions through words or facial recognition are being developed by many big players in the industry.

    And those emotional connections are what will set your brand apart. Take, for example:

    • Brazil’s Yellow Line used AdMobilize emotional AI to measure face metrics and display ads based on people’s emotions.

    • MetLife implemented an emotional AI coaching tool to help agents better detect emotional states and provide real-time tips and assistance for agents. This increased their NPS score, Perfect Call scores, and issue resolution and decreased call handling time.

    These are just a couple of examples of how many brands are starting to use AI to create emotional experiences that today’s audiences enjoy.

    Enhancing brand consistency

    Of course, we can’t talk about AI and automation without discussing the benefit of consistency. With AI, you can maintain brand consistency across all platforms and touchpoints without having to even think about it. AI can help you align messaging, tone and design to come up with a cohesive brand identity that you can share with the world.

    AI can even help you identify areas where things aren’t consistent or instances of your brand that may need a second look. This helps you further ensure that you’re staying ahead of the competition and delivering the connected experience that people desire. AI can even go as far as to outline a strategy or process for you so that you can further refine it into manageable touchpoints and provide a consistent experience from start to finish.

    Related: What Is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Here Are Its Benefits, Uses and More

    AI and human authenticity: A synergy

    AI cannot replace the authenticity of human creativity and conceptualization. However, it can enhance several areas of the human experience. In an era of AI-driven innovations, maintaining those authentic connections with your consumers remains a priority. While AI is a tool that can optimize data analysis, personalization, storytelling, and branding, the human element remains at the core of brand-consumer relationships.

    By embracing AI as an augmentation to your human efforts, your brand will be able to forge a path toward meaningful, personalized interactions that resonate in today’s digital world. AI is poised to become a powerful tool for branding and marketing, amplifying the capabilities of your human employees and delivering data-driven insights that will help you create more effective branding strategies moving forward.

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    Tatiana Dumitru

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  • 6 Strategies You Need To Ensure Your Personal Brand Stands Out | Entrepreneur

    6 Strategies You Need To Ensure Your Personal Brand Stands Out | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Why is Panera Bread on TikTok? Social media makes it easy for consumers to feel connected to the companies they love most. This means the idea of a faceless business is likely on the path to becoming obsolete. Panera understands something more people are beginning to realize: The increased importance of personal branding in modern marketing.

    Personal branding has been a significant part of many marketing efforts for years now — ever since Facebook hit it big. However, personal branding has evolved along with the way we interact on the internet. As an entrepreneur who’s worked hard to build his own personal brand, I’ve experienced this evolution firsthand.

    One of the biggest changes over the past decade is that personal branding is no longer reserved only for celebrities and household names. Nowadays, if you have access to the internet and a drive to get your name out, you can have a personal brand, which is perfect for intrepid entrepreneurs.

    Related: 8 Reasons a Powerful Personal Brand Will Make You Successful

    SEO is also no longer the end-all, be-all of marketing. Suppose you’re trying to build a brand around entertainment and multimedia, for example. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Discord, TikTok and Twitter have proven more effective for growing and keeping engaged followers. In other words, while building a successful personal brand is more accessible, it’s also more complex. It requires the right tools for the job and a more, well, personal approach.

    Personal branding in action

    To better understand what successful personal branding looks like in the entrepreneurial space, let’s look at two notable examples.

    Gary Vaynerchuk is one of the first names that come to mind when people think about entrepreneurs who have turned themselves into successful brands. Nearly every entrepreneur knows his name, but not because of specific business dealings. In fact, many would be hard-pressed to name what businesses he’s involved with. His personal brand trumps everything else.

    Vaynerchuk’s blunt style has captured people’s attention and provided him with a level of authenticity that’s hard to replicate. But this approach can also be a turnoff. His brand is a good reminder that what works for one person won’t necessarily work for you.

    Simon Sinek is a good example of a different approach to the same strategy. He’s an entrepreneur who focuses on creating unique and inspiring content that informs and entertains people. His content comes in a variety of different forms, including podcasts, talks, articles and videos.

    Related: 6 Tips for Successfully Communicating Your Personal Brand

    Rather than build a personal brand based on his personality, Sinek has chosen to base it on his content. Through the study of human behavior and psychology, Sinek seeks to help other entrepreneurs improve while concurrently amplifying his reputation as an expert in the field.

    It’s important to understand that one approach is not necessarily better. But what does leaning into your unique self look like from a branding perspective? In a world where more and more people are crafting their own personal brands, how can you harness the power of your personality to stand out? Let’s look at six ways to do just that.

    How to build a personal brand that stands out from the crowd

    The truth is that most people start building their personal brands long before they realize that’s what they’re doing. Just the act of creating a LinkedIn profile is the beginning of creating a brand. That’s where I started. Only around the time I was launching my first startup and meeting with potential investors did I realize just how important a strong personal brand was.

    So, I began in earnest to become more proactive in my branding. I worked to become a thought leader, which has helped me grow my success. Along the way, I learned some important lessons that I believe anyone can apply to their own approach to personal branding.

    1. Settle on a consistent voice that showcases your passion

    Feel free to play around with what your brand looks like before choosing a specific direction. But once you make that choice, own it. Decide what topics to position yourself as an authority on and ensure you’re passionate about them. This will let the authenticity flow naturally.

    It’s easy when you start building your personal brand to jump on the bandwagon of trendy topics — artificial intelligence (AI), I’m looking at you — but doing so is a mistake. Focus on what you can add to the conversation, not on joining the conversation.

    2. Be actionable

    I’ve learned that actionable stories and advice perform the best. Everyone has an opinion, but if you share steps that achieve a result, you’ll have a better shot at getting noticed. One example of this is HubSpot. Hubspot offers service solutions for marketing, sales, content management and more. It offers free courses related to its services as part of its marketing strategy so that potential customers are better educated about the industry. This initiative has given HubSpot a lot of favorable brand awareness, and its courses have even become a part of some companies’ internal training curricula.

    Related: 6 Tips for Leveraging Your Personal Brand to Create Partnership Opportunities

    3. Involve yourself with groups of other thought leaders

    I’ve learned that what I share touches some people deeper than expected. But to create things that touch people, I had to find people who could speak to me in the same way. Having great mentors or even just great people around you who are passionate about the same things will help inspire the content you create.

    4. Don’t be on a social media platform just to be there

    When social media became mainstream, the trend was creating a profile on every possible platform, even if you didn’t find any value in it. While building your personal brand across various channels can help you extend your reach, without a reason to be there, you’re just generating. If you choose to be on a platform, ensure you can deliver content that matches its intended use.

    Related: Want More Clients? Focus On Your Personal Brand

    5. Find the time

    As an entrepreneur, it can be difficult to fit another thing into your daily schedule. But you have to force yourself to make the time. One trick I use is maintaining an ongoing thought sheet that I add to throughout the month. These are thoughts I have that I may want to write about.

    6. Track your reach

    If you don’t measure your reach, you won’t know what’s resonating and what isn’t. A wide variety of tools are available to track your readership levels on what you author; make sure to take advantage of them. When tracking your reach, pay close attention to where audience overlap occurs. Avoiding this will help you reach a broader audience.

    The scope of branding has transcended the corporate realm. We are entering a digital age where everything you post online mirrors your identity. Take advantage of the digital tools within your reach to tell a cohesive story about who you are, what you stand for, and why you do what you do. More and more consumers are looking for brands and personalities they resonate with — why not let that be you?

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    Gideon Kimbrell

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  • Unveiling the Power of Authenticity | Entrepreneur

    Unveiling the Power of Authenticity | Entrepreneur

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    Key Takeaways from “The Jeff Fenster Show” with Jen Gottlieb.

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    Jeff Fenster

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  • 5 Crucial Leadership Elements to Earn Your Team’s Trust | Entrepreneur

    5 Crucial Leadership Elements to Earn Your Team’s Trust | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Trust – it’s the performance-enhanced steroid that can transform even the most diverse group of misfits into a high-performance team. Without it, standards and expectations aren’t taken seriously and productivity suffers greatly.

    You have to maintain a high level of trust across your team to ensure buy-in for collective efforts toward a shared company goal. Gaining your team’s trust, though, doesn’t happen spontaneously. It requires a great deal of authenticity, clear communication, strong and stable support, integrity and a whole lot of consistency.

    Having led hundreds of individuals across multiple industries and levels of leadership, including vice president of sales and now CEO, I learned some insightful gems to earn those positions. Here are a few lessons for other leaders aiming to create a culture of trust and extract peak performance from their teams.

    1. Authenticity

    In an era filled with curated personas and the mentality of “fake it til you make it,” authenticity stands out as a refreshing departure from the norm. And just like a well-timed, sarcastic zinger in the middle of a boring and quiet waiting room, authenticity has a way of cutting through the noise (or silence, in this case) and creating an instant connection. People have a great appreciation for authentic personalities. We’d rather work with a jerk who is direct and tells it how it is over someone who shares misinformation to just people please and avoid confrontation.

    So, how can you demonstrate authenticity in the eyes of your team? The answer lies in staying true to yourself and being transparent with others. Expressing your thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints openly (yet tactfully), allows your unique personality to shine through. By being genuine, your team will recognize your sincerity, laying the foundation for trust.

    Related: 3 Ways Authentic Leaders Inspire and Retain Employees

    2. Communication

    Saying nothing says a lot, and is a proven path to damaging your team’s confidence in you as a leader. Clear, consistent and honest communication is at the heart of leadership. To develop trust within your team, you have to communicate clearly and consistently.

    Start by articulating your vision, objectives and expectations to your team, ensuring everyone aligns with the same goals. Encourage open conversation and an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, ideas and concerns free from judgment. And when things go wrong, as they inevitably will, don’t hide behind a wall of silence. Address issues head-on and keep your team in the loop. Remember, a well-informed team is a trusting team.

    Related: Why Effective and Influential Leaders Focus on Direct Communication

    3. Elevate your team

    Great leadership in its purest form is elevating those around you. When you focus on elevating your team — helping them to grow, learn and improve — you create an environment of trust, empowerment and explosive growth. You’re showing them that their development is important to you and that you believe in their potential.

    This isn’t just about professional skills; it’s about personal growth as well. By investing in them as individuals, and showing a genuine interest in their aspirations and challenges, you’re building a deep, foundational level of trust. This trust breeds loyalty, open communication, and a culture where everyone feels valued and heard. As a result, you enhance team morale, productivity and overall cohesion.

    Here are a few effective strategies I’ve implemented over the years to elevate my team:

    1. Skill development workshops and training. As a leader, it’s important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your team. Regularly conducting skill development workshops or training sessions helps your team members polish their existing skills and acquire new ones. You can start by asking your team the following questions: What skills are you most interested in developing? How do you think this training will help you perform better at your job?

    2. Mentorship programs. Pair less experienced team members with senior members or external mentors. This can provide the opportunity for personal growth and the sharing of wisdom and experience.

    Questions to ask: Who do you look up to professionally? What traits or skills do they possess that you aspire to have?

    3. Recurring one-on-one sessions. Regular feedback is crucial for personal and professional development. These sessions provide a space for open discussion about performance, challenges and opportunities for growth for both you and the subordinate.

    Questions to ask: What challenges are you facing? How can I support you? If you had to put a finger on one thing I could improve on, what would it be?

    4. Encourage autonomy. Giving your team the freedom to make decisions creates a sense of responsibility and boosts their confidence.

    Questions to ask: What responsibilities would you like to take on to grow in your role? How can I support you in this process?

    4. Integrity

    Integrity stands as the backbone of trust. Without it, everything crumbles. In the workforce, integrity is simply doing what’s right, regardless of who’s watching or how inconvenient it may seem. It revolves around honoring your word, acknowledging your errors and making decisions with the team and organization’s best interest in mind.

    To display integrity, ensure consistency in your actions, and fulfill your commitments. If you say you’ll do something, make sure you deliver. In the event of a mistake, accept it, own it and find a solution forward. By continuously operating with integrity, you’ll position yourself as a dependable leader your team can trust.

    Related: How to Maintain Your Integrity While Keeping Up With a Rapidly Changing Environment

    5. Consistency

    Excelling in these areas will serve you well, but the ultimate key to long-term sustainability is in your consistency. Trust isn’t an event, it’s a habit. It’s the consistency that establishes a reliable pattern of behavior that your team can depend on.

    To be a consistent leader, treat all team members equitably and enforce your policies the same. Strive to have a strong presence in your team’s daily activities. Most importantly, be consistent in upholding the qualities above. When your team knows what to anticipate from you, they’ll trust you to guide them, even in the face of uncertainty.

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    Kash Hasworth

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  • 4 Lessons I Learned from Filming ‘Buying Beverly Hills’ | Entrepreneur

    4 Lessons I Learned from Filming ‘Buying Beverly Hills’ | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Having had the privilege of filming my own Netflix show, Buying Beverly Hills, I’ve gained leadership insights that wound up extending far beyond the realm of television. Over time, I came to realize that experiences and lessons learned during production have real value for those seeking success in a variety of ventures — even those not depicted on the small screen.

    Read on to see the four lessons I took away from filming season one of Buying Beverly Hills.

    Related: How Real Estate Agents Can Effectively Leverage the Power of Public Relations

    1. Authenticity is key

    One of the most crucial aspects of Buying Beverly Hills was its emphasis on authenticity. In an industry often associated with glamour and pretense, it was important to stay true to our core values and detail real-life obstacles and genuine interactions. My daughter, Alexia Umansky, showed viewers the challenges of being a green agent, for example, as she handled her first big listing (which happened to be our family home). As viewers got to watch mistakes made along the way, they were able to see the true process of being a newer agent and the challenges that come with breaking into the industry.

    Similarly, entrepreneurs should strive to be authentic. Transparency and honesty build trust with customers or clients, fostering long-term relationships and solidifying your reputation. People connect with the truth, and by embracing it in your values and actions, you can differentiate your brand and create a loyal following.

    Related: Why Being Real Is the New Perfect — How “Anti-Instagram” Apps Are Changing Social Media

    2. Regard challenges as opportunities

    As any entrepreneur knows, challenges are inevitable, and during production, we faced numerous ones, from tight timelines to unexpected hurdles. Joey Ben-Zvi, an agent at The Agency and a show cast member, learned firsthand the mishaps that can arise in this industry, particularly as he navigated listing his family’s property. In the end, though, we learned to view such challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation.

    The same principle applies broadly: Rather than becoming discouraged by setbacks, embrace them as chances to learn, adapt and improve. By maintaining a positive mindset that always embraces problem-solving, you’ll reliably turn adversity into a catalyst for success.

    Related: Few Industries Are Better for First-Time Investors Than Real Estate. Here Are 4 Proven Ways to Make a Profit.

    3. Build a strong team

    Behind the scenes of Buying Beverly Hills, I had a dedicated team working tirelessly — from seasoned producers to PR gurus ready to market and launch the series. Collaborating with talented professionals who shared my vision was instrumental, and that lesson has real legs: Leaders should prioritize building a strong team in their own ventures. Surround yourself with those who complement your strengths and share your passion and values. Such a crew can help navigate challenges, provide diverse perspectives and drive innovation. Success is rarely (if ever) achieved alone.

    Related: 10 Simple Steps to Build an Exceptional and Efficient Team

    4. Harness the power of storytelling

    Shooting the series was an indelible lesson in the impact and potential of a compelling narrative. Members of The Umansky Team, as well as other agents featured on the show, made a point of opening up and sharing their personal stories and professional struggles. Part of what I admired about our show — and what I believe sets it apart from similar programs — is that we showed the true process and experience of what it takes to make it in real estate, describing in detail the challenges and obstacles both new and seasoned agents face. In doing so, we created a deeper connection with the audience — genuine emotional engagement.

    Entrepreneurs can leverage this same concept by effectively telling their story and that of their brand. So, share your journey, the values that drive your business and the impact you aim to make. Such a narrative will resonate with a target audience, and you’ll be able to use it to create a memorable and authentic brand. Through storytelling, you can forge stronger connections with both existing and potential clients, and so differentiate yourself from competitors.

    Related: 5 Ways Storytelling Can Make You a More Impactful Leader

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    Mauricio Umansky

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  • 6 Proven Ways of Building Customer Loyalty | Entrepreneur

    6 Proven Ways of Building Customer Loyalty | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    A loyal, longtime customer is akin to fine wine: Producing it requires a considerable amount of work, and the aging process is where it truly pays off. Strong, lasting customer relationships help create a stable growth foundation. However, developing and nurturing them is no easy feat in a crowded marketplace. It requires, among other things, a laser focus on making them feel valued.

    Here are seven strategies you can use to build yours.

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    John Boitnott

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  • How to Communicate More Authentically and Effectively | Entrepreneur

    How to Communicate More Authentically and Effectively | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I want to tell you about an incredibly useful communication framework, one I’ve used with nearly every client I’ve ever had. It’s called Unarguable and Unmistakable, and it’s nothing more than a simple script for being authentic, direct and effective when communicating with others. Yes, there are a lot of similar frameworks out there, but I like Unarguable and Unmistakable because it’s just so easy! It’s as simple as making an unarguable statement followed by an unmistakable request.

    Unarguable

    So, what does “unarguable” mean? Firstly, “arguable” statements are any statements we can argue. It sounds simple, but this includes things that we often think are unarguable, like facts, data and history. Saying, “The sky is blue” might sound like a fact, but it’s entirely arguable. I could tell you that the sky is dark where I am, or that I’m colorblind or that, “It’s not blue, it’s aquamarine!” Unarguable statements, on the other hand, are things that are 100% in our domain and control.

    There are only three things that are unarguable: our own sensations, our own emotions and our own thoughts. “I have a pain in my shoulder” is unarguable — it’s my shoulder. “I feel sad” is unarguable — it’s my emotion. And “I believe the sky is blue” is actually unarguable, too, because I’m framing it as my thought or belief, which is 100% my own. Statements that are unarguable are powerful not because they’re difficult to argue with, but because they’re radically authentic and show others exactly where we’re coming from.

    When we make unarguable statements, we’re not hiding behind the facts and data or asking questions to indirectly communicate intent. Instead of saying “This plan isn’t right” or asking “Why did you come up with that plan?” we can unarguably express “I feel worried about this plan.” It sounds simple (because it is), but the difference is huge. Imagine being on the receiving end of those different statements, and notice how you feel and how you would react differently.

    Related: Authentic Leadership: What Is It and Why is it Important?

    Unmistakable

    The second step, especially if you’re in a position of leadership or making an appeal to someone, is to follow up your unarguable statement with an unmistakable request. What makes a request unmistakable? It has to be three things: simple, genuine and yes or no. Simple means that there isn’t more than one question inside the question. Genuine means that it’s not a statement masquerading as a question, such as “Why did you come up with this plan?” really meaning, “This plan sounds dumb, defend yourself!” And yes or no just means that it’s a clear opt-in or -out request. Unmistakable requests could be: “Can I share my perspective?” or “Are you available for some feedback?”

    The beauty of requests made in this way isn’t just in their simplicity, but also in the fact that people have a chance to say no, in which case, there’s clarity. Or they can say yes, in which case, they’ve opted into being a part of the discussion. They’re now with you and listening in a way that wasn’t available to them when the discussion was one-sided.

    Marrying the above examples of unarguable statements with unmistakable requests could look like, “I feel worried about this plan; would you please walk me through your thinking?” Notice how different that feels. Now the person on the other end knows precisely where you’re coming from and can opt into being a part of the discussion going forward. It’s not malicious or indirect, and to me, it feels much more collaborative and authentic.

    If this all makes sense to you, try to become an anthropologist in the specialty of unarguable statements. Notice and note down when others use statements that are arguable or unarguable, getting curious about how each affects a conversation. Notice and note down when you use those statements, too. Then, take that into daily practice to both use the unarguable statements and couple them with clear, direct unmistakable requests.

    Related: Effective Communication Means Business Success

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    Jason R. Waller

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  • Kristin Cavallari and Emma Grede Share Vital Secrets to Success | Entrepreneur

    Kristin Cavallari and Emma Grede Share Vital Secrets to Success | Entrepreneur

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    How do you ensure your brand stands out, especially in a saturated market?

    It’s a question that several founders explored last month at an event hosted by Chase Ink Business Premier at New York City-based co-working space NeueHouse Madison Square.

    Skims and Good American co-founder Emma Grede moderated the panel with Kristin Cavallari, veteran reality TV star and founder of lifestyle brand Uncommon James; Pernell Cezar, co-founder and CEO of BLK & Bold Speciality Beverages; and Wombi Rose, co-founder and CEO of greeting card company Lovepop.

    In a wide-ranging discussion that delved into first-time founder mistakes, scaling speedbumps, hiring challenges and more, a common strategy emerged — and it’s one critical for any entrepreneur who strives to overcome the obstacles sure to come their way.

    The secret? Leaning into your brand’s authenticity.

    Related: Why Authenticity Is a Key Ingredient to Entrepreneurial Success

    “Selfishly, I’m designing what I want because I feel like I am the customer.”

    Both Grede’s and Cavallari’s brands have no doubt benefited from celebrity culture and the spotlight that comes with it.

    Grede co-founded Skims with Kim Kardashian and Good American with Khloé Kardashian. Cavallari first rose to fame on the reality TV show Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and went on to star in Very Cavallari while opening Uncommon James’ flagship store in Nashville, Tennessee.

    Grede admits that she thought having Kardashian-famous co-founders meant people would be more interested in them and less interested in her, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. People want to know all of the faces behind a brand — and if what they bring to the table is authentic.

    For Grede, authenticity was there from the start with Good American. She recalls designing for a customer who would want from a pair of jeans what she’d always searched for herself: quality that lasts, holding up without a wash long enough to keep up with a busy lifestyle.

    Cavallari shares that desire to put out products that truly reflect a customer’s wants; it’s how she’s approached Uncommon James from the start.

    “Selfishly, I’m designing what I want because I feel like I am the customer,” Cavallari explains. “I am the girl. In that sense, it’s been really enjoyable — and I don’t want to say easy, but it’s been almost effortless for me.”

    Related: A Guide to Turning Your Customers Into Your Product Designers

    Entrepreneur sat down with Cavallari to learn more about how authenticity has always powered Uncommon James — and where she’s excited to see it go next.

    “I had this fire and this passion in me to show people that I knew what I was doing.”

    Cavallari had an entrepreneurial spirit early on and knew she “needed to lean into the branding world” when she joined The Hills to make the most of her growing exposure. But she was young, and many of the celebrity deals she saw involved stars partnering with other companies, so that’s what she did, teaming up on a shoe line with Chinese Laundry.

    The partnership lasted five years, and Cavallari says she “learned a lot” from the experience. But she couldn’t help but wonder: Why can’t I do this on my own? “I had this fire and this passion in me to show people that I knew what I was doing in the branding world,” Cavallari recalls, “so I decided to launch Uncommon James.”

    In just four months, Cavallari took Uncommon James from idea to launch. During those initial days, the founder admits there was no distinction between herself, her personal brand and her company. But that’s changed over the years — by design.

    “We’re still very much like, the girls on the girl’s trip in Nashville that are out at Broadway — that’s our girl,” Cavallari says. “She’s not afraid to be a little edgy. She likes to have fun, which is still very much me. But I’ve grown up a little bit from that. So we’re also transitioning away from using me so heavily within the brand.”

    Although Cavallari’s move away from being the brand’s face has been gradual, it was part of the plan from the start, hence why she named it “Uncommon James” instead of after herself — to make sure it could “stand on its own.”

    Related: 5 Common Challenges Entrepreneurs Face When Creating a Brand

    “It doesn’t matter if you have a TV show or not…it is all-encompassing.”

    And in a move reminiscent of her early career, the founder harnessed the power of reality TV to generate buzz for the brand in 2018. Very Cavallari documented the opening of Uncommon James’ flagship store — a season of life Cavallari calls “so insane” as she balanced raising three young kids and growing her business.

    But Cavallari’s also “really thankful for that time,” and considers it another learning experience. And once again, it’s one that highlighted just how important it is to keep that original passion alive — that authentic drive — regardless of celebrity status.

    “It doesn’t matter if you have a TV show or not,” Cavallari says. “When you explode overnight, and you’re trying to continue to scale [your company] at that rapid rate, it is all-encompassing. It is stressful. It’s a lot, but it’s really important to buckle down and put your all into it because that’s what creates the success of your company. And then you eventually do get to the other side where you can coast a little bit more.”

    When Uncommon James’ growth reached the point where it wasn’t sustainable for Cavallari to navigate it all on her own, she knew it was time to “hire good people with a lot of experience.”

    And it’s a strategy that’s paid off big time: Cavallari says her marketing team’s “doing better than [she] ever even could have imagined.”

    Now, Cavallari plans to continue scaling the brand that’s stayed true to herself and her customers over the years — and is especially excited about its new skincare line, Uncommon Beauty. Uncommon James will also expand its brick-and-mortar presence, starting with an additional store in Charleston, South Carolina opening this fall.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • What Is Personal Brand Leadership and How Can It Benefit You? | Entrepreneur

    What Is Personal Brand Leadership and How Can It Benefit You? | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Personal brand leadership is the new standard for leaders who want to be authentic, connect with their clients/constituents and differentiate themselves from the competition. Everyone is talking about personal branding — and with good reason. Personal branding has emerged, not only to be a trending topic but to be one of the quickest routes to gaining mindshare and customer/client buy-in.

    Personal brand leadership pushes the envelope further to forge personal brand as an actual leadership style (i.e., leading teams through the personal brand leadership style).

    Related: 5 Surefire Ways to Become a Better, More Effective Leader

    How does one develop their personal brand leadership style?

    Personal brand leadership begins with a story. We call it the origin brand story. Between the ages of 0-7, 7-14 and from 14-21, core experiences were formed. From these experiences, lessons and wisdom were drawn, and operating principles were formulated. These operating principles became guidelines, or what the scholarly body refers to as “worldview.” This worldview is our perspective and how we see the world, and we deal with the world based on our MVPs or morals, values and principles. In order to do this, you must go back into your past and detail your origin brand story. It is not easy for a lot of people, and it works better when someone facilitates or coaches you through that process as it can be painful and challenging — and many get stuck.

    However, once someone has gathered that data central to who they are and how and why they conduct themselves as they do, the job becomes to relate this data to the world. You can see the power in this as you think of those you formed strong bonds with and leadership figures who changed the world or had a strong positive and enduring impact. They always told their story. When you tell your story, you open yourself up to the world, which takes courage. You lay yourself bare, to be judged and held accountable, and you become vulnerable.

    You tell of your mistakes and shortcomings, regrets, losses, etc. In other words, you become human. Humans want to do business with humans. Humans want to be in relationships with humans. That’s just how the world works. So, the more human and the more imperfect you make yourself, the more relatable you become and the more people begin to respond to you. They have these epiphanies, me-too and ah-hah moments as you tell your story, and when you don’t stay or dwell in your mistakes but make the appropriate adjustments and overcome challenges, they see themselves as being able to overcome challenges, too — and until they do, they get to live vicariously through your ability to overcome their mistakes.

    Thus, they become inspired, motivated and inclined to grow, develop and progress. This is how the world becomes a better place and why personal brand leadership is a futuristic form of leadership looking forward and not back into the past, except as a way to realize strengths to power us up for the next quantum leap.

    Related: 5 Steps to Becoming an Authentic Leader

    Who does personal brand leadership work for?

    Personal brand leadership works for anyone who is tired of faking it and truly interested in making it. It works for anyone trying to live an authentic, genuine life and be of authentic and genuine value to their clients and shareholders; be they employees, family members and/or investors. Personal brand leadership is being able to be comfortable in your skin and never having to remember your lines because you live unscripted, reliant upon the lessons you have learned, and the (what we call 3 Es) education, experience and expertise gained delivers up to you next.

    This is also relatable to living in flow, where you tap into the eternal reservoir of trust and belief in one’s self. When you do that, anxiety declines, and appreciation, gratitude and good feelings take over — and instinct abounds. Depression may subside because you’re no longer trying to be what you’re not and you’re comfortable not trying to be all things for all people.

    Why now?

    With the advent of all things artificial and automated in the name of advance and further removing the human element from business, communications and relationships, it is absolutely imperative and more desirable that a person be authentic. How many times have you gotten a phone call and instead of it being a person, it was some “bot” on the other end? How many times have you received an email that you knew was artificially created? People are starving for the human touch and authentic expression, especially in business, and the knowledge is all out here.

    I tell my clients all the time: Knowledge is easily accessible. Humanity, on the other hand, not so much. In the job market, once you pass a certain pay grade, the tech skills no longer differentiate. Everyone has them. Everyone has the degrees, the letters, the social group memberships, etc.

    So, what’s missing, and how can you differentiate yourself? The only differentiators now are behavioral, social, interactive and experience. Customer experience and end-user experience are the things that most business owners erroneously seek to automate, ever searching for the key to sustainable scalability. However, the last thing you want to do is scale to fail, and that happens when you remove yourself from the equation, try to grow too fast, automate and outsource everything, and your business loses its personal touch.

    Related: The Power of Personal Touch Leadership

    In summary, the future is personal. There will always be those who want less experience — those who desire to outsource and de-personalize everything, but what this does for the people who have established strong personal brand leadership is it positions them as the OVO, or the only viable option. The only viable option for people who want to remain human in every growing artificial simulation of the new world. This is as true in business as in every other sector.

    The CEO who can be transparent and vulnerable and interweave their morals, values, vision and principles into the underlying fabric of the organization, products, services, employee’s mindsets and marketing campaigns will yield an undeniable competitive advantage over the ChatGPT-generated slogans and computer-generated social media posts, blogs, email and customer service templates. We are coming to the precipice of a fork in the road where we will be forced to choose … choose wisely … choose personal brand leadership.

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    Shaan Rais

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  • The Most Respected and Admired Leaders Have These 2 Qualities | Entrepreneur

    The Most Respected and Admired Leaders Have These 2 Qualities | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Being a leader comes with a lot of challenges, but ultimately, one of the most important assets that a leader can have is the ability to be bold and authentic at the same time. Being a bold leader means having the confidence to take action and make tough decisions, while being an authentic leader means staying true to your values and beliefs. In today’s highly competitive business world, leaders who blend these two qualities are the ones most respected and admired.

    As a leader, it can be challenging to navigate the balance between being true to yourself and being effective in your role. Being authentic allows you to connect with your team on a deeper level, but being bold is necessary to make tough decisions and inspire change. The truth is, being bold and being authentic go hand in hand, and embracing both of these qualities can make you a more effective leader.

    Related: The Benefits of Bold Leadership and How Leaders Can Develop a Bold Mindset

    Authenticity requires boldness

    Being authentic in the workplace means being honest about your strengths and weaknesses as well as your values and priorities. However, it also means being willing to communicate these things effectively and stand behind them. This requires boldness, especially if your views differ from those around you, or if you’re in a leadership position where your decisions will affect others. Boldness can help you maintain your integrity and stay true to your values, even when things get tough.

    Being bold requires a leader to take risks, think outside the box and stand out from the crowd. Being bold means being willing to make decisions that others may not agree with, but still believing in your vision and having the courage to push forward. A bold leader does not simply follow the status quo, but rather challenges it and seeks to make a difference.

    Boldness requires authenticity

    On the flip side, being bold requires a certain level of authenticity. Being a bold leader means taking risks and making decisions that may not always be popular. But to be effective, you need to believe in these decisions and be willing to stand behind them. This requires authenticity because you can’t inspire others to take risks and believe in your vision if you don’t believe it yourself.

    Authenticity requires a leader to be genuine, transparent and relatable. An authentic leader does not hide behind a façade or put on a show. Rather, they are transparent about their thoughts, feelings and intentions, giving their team a clear and honest picture of what is happening and why. By being relatable, authentic leaders create trust and a sense of camaraderie with their teams, allowing for a stronger bond and greater productivity.

    The benefits of being bold and authentic

    Boldness and authenticity together create the ultimate leadership style. When you combine authenticity and boldness, you become a leader who is trusted by your team, respected by your peers and effective in your role. Authenticity allows you to build deeper connections with your team and inspire them to follow you. Boldness, on the other hand, allows you to take risks and make decisions that can lead to growth and success. Together, these qualities can help you achieve your goals and create a culture of trust and innovation.

    If you’re not naturally a bold or authentic leader, it can be hard to know where to start. But by focusing on your values, strengths and priorities, you can begin to build a foundation of authenticity. From there, you can start to take small risks and make decisions that align with your values. As you see the benefits of this approach, you can continue to build on it and become bolder as a leader.

    A leader who has found the balance between these two traits is a leader who is able to inspire and motivate their team towards common goals. The boldness to take risks and stand out must be paired with the authenticity to communicate and lead with transparency and honesty.

    Related: How to Create a Thriving Workplace by Leading With Authenticity

    Balancing boldness and authenticity

    Of course, there are times when being too bold or too authentic can get you into trouble. It’s important to strike a balance between these qualities. Being too bold can lead to reckless decision-making, while being too authentic can make it difficult to keep certain things private or maintain a professional demeanor. Being mindful of this balance can help you be effective as a leader while staying true to yourself.

    Being a successful leader requires both boldness and authenticity. The two qualities go hand in hand and can help you build trust, inspire innovation and achieve your goals. By focusing on your values and building a foundation of authenticity, you can become a more effective leader who is willing to take risks and make bold decisions. Remember to strike a balance between these qualities, and you’ll be well on your way to success as a leader.

    When blended, boldness and authenticity create an unbeatable combination. A leader who is bold and authentic is someone who takes risks, stands up for what they believe in and inspires their team to follow their lead. They are not afraid to admit their failures, and yet they remain confident in their direction. This type of leader is also genuine, real and personable, which makes them relatable and approachable to their employees. Leaders who embody these traits are able to build strong teams that are not afraid to take risks, try new things or make mistakes along the way.

    But how can leaders cultivate both boldness and authenticity? One way is to take the time to truly reflect on their values and to make sure that their actions align with those values. It’s also important to create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their opinions and ideas so that boldness and creativity can flourish. Additionally, it’s important to practice vulnerability and transparency by sharing stories of successes and failures and emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes.

    Boldness and authenticity are the keys to successful leadership in today’s business world. These traits help leaders stand out from the crowd and cultivate strong teams that are willing to take risks, try new things and grow together. It’s not always easy to be bold and authentic, but the rewards are immeasurable. By continuing to practice these traits, leaders can create a better future for themselves and for their organizations.

    Related: 4 Must-Have Leadership Qualities

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    Leigh Burgess

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  • Why Personal Branding Matters for Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneur

    Why Personal Branding Matters for Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As an entrepreneur, you can use your personal brand to your advantage in several ways. It’s an expression of your values, personality and unique selling proposition (USP) that can help you stand out from the competition. In the digital age we live in now, it’s important to have a strong personal brand if you want to be successful in business and stay relevant in a crowded market.

    According to studies, a person’s personal brand can significantly impact both the reputation of their employer and their career success. For example:

    • A study by LinkedIn found that professionals with a strong personal brand are more likely to be hired and promoted. The study found that “50% of professionals with a strong personal brand received interest from new employers compared to only 14% of those with a weak personal brand.”
    • A survey conducted by CareerBuilder found that “57% of employers are less likely to interview a candidate they can’t find online.” This highlights the importance of having a strong online presence and personal brand.
    • A study by Weber Shandwick found that “49% of executives believe a strong CEO personal brand is critical to their company’s overall reputation.” This highlights the importance of personal branding not only for individuals but also for the companies they represent.
    • A study by HubSpot found that “companies with a strong CEO personal brand generate 11% more shareholder return than their competitors.”

    These studies show how personal branding can affect professional success and a company’s reputation. By building a strong personal brand, entrepreneurs can set themselves apart from their competitors, gain credibility and help their businesses succeed.

    Related: How to Build a Successful Personal Brand in 5 Simple Steps

    Strategies for developing your personal brand

    To build a strong personal brand, you should spend time and energy building your brand identity, establishing your online presence, creating compelling content, networking and collaborating, being genuine and consistent, developing your leadership skills, embracing your unique point of view and asking for feedback.

    1. Define your brand identity

    The basis of your personal brand is your brand identity. Your unique selling proposition (USP), personality and values are all included. Asking yourself questions like, “What do I stand for?” will help you define your brand identity. What values do I hold? What distinguishes me from my rivals?

    Related: 4 Steps to Create a Lasting Brand Identity

    2. Establish your online presence

    In today’s digital age, building your brand online is crucial. Convey your expertise and add value to your readers’ lives by creating a website or blog. You can reach your target audience and spread your message by using social media like Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

    3. Create compelling content

    With the help of content marketing, you can establish your brand and yourself as a leader in your field. Make blog posts, videos or podcasts that are interesting to your audience and showcase your expertise.

    4. Network and collaborate

    Networking and working with other people can help you build your reputation and connect with other leaders in your field. By attending conferences, joining professional groups, or participating in online communities, you can meet other business owners and grow your network.

    Related: Why Collaboration Is Essential to Entrepreneurship

    5. Be authentic and consistent

    Being honest and reliable is crucial to winning over your audience. Don’t stray too far from your brand’s identity and values in your content and messaging. Your listeners will value your sincerity and credibility highly.

    Related: Authentic Leadership: What Is It and Why is it Important?

    6. Develop your leadership skills

    Leadership skills are highly correlated with the reputation you’ve built for yourself as an entrepreneur. You can become an industry leader by inspiring and motivating your team, sharing your vision with them and making strategic decisions. Finding a mentor or coach, participating in a leadership development program, or reading material on the topic can all help you grow as a leader. Focus on improving your emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and communication skills to become a better leader and build your personal brand.

    7. Embrace your unique perspective

    Your original perspective sets you apart from other professionals in your field. Recognize the value of your unique perspective and employ it to set yourself apart. Communicate your point of view through your messages and articles.

    8. Seek feedback

    If you want to fix any flaws in your message, you need to hear what people think. Your target audience, coworkers and mentors can give you feedback that can help you build and keep your personal brand.

    If they want to succeed in business, entrepreneurs must build a solid personal brand. The time and effort you put into developing your brand identity, online presence, content creation, networking and collaboration skills, authenticity and consistency, leadership skills, a unique perspective and feedback will pay off in the form of a strong personal brand that sets you apart in your industry.

    Building a name for yourself in the business world can only help you in the long run. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it in the end. Building a solid personal brand can lead to increased professional credibility, trust and success. Using the aforementioned methods, you can establish a solid personal brand that will set you apart in your field and aid you in reaching your objectives.

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    Martin Rowinski

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  • How to Lead With Authenticity and Build a Thriving Workplace | Entrepreneur

    How to Lead With Authenticity and Build a Thriving Workplace | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As leaders, it’s our responsibility to create environments that promote productivity, innovation and growth. What if we were to take this a step further and prioritize personal fulfillment as well? A workplace culture that promotes openness and transparency encourages employee satisfaction, which in turn fosters excellence and efficiency. As such, following this approach can take us much further than the traditional mindset.

    As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I faced significant challenges early in my career, with people often dismissing my opinions, actions and decisions as emotional or irrational. I learned that to be taken seriously, I had to mask my authentic self. So, I spent years teaching myself to hide my feelings, personality and passions, as I was made to believe this was the only way to get ahead. Granted, it worked, but as I gained more experience and moved up the ranks, I realized this culture was deeply flawed, regardless of how (unfortunately) common it is.

    Related: Authentic Leadership: What Is It and Why is it Important?

    The key to building a thriving workplace

    With experience, I came to realize that the key to building a thriving workplace is authenticity: an approach rooted in trust, allowing individuals to build relationships based on openness, honesty and being their true selves while actively enabling work-life integration.

    Work-life integration is based on the idea that work and life aren’t separate, but rather, that professional responsibilities, family life, hobbies and personal development can be interwoven in a way that supports and enhances our overall well-being. It suggests a holistic approach to managing work and life, where the boundaries between the two are blurred, and the focus is on creating fulfillment and balance overall.

    This approach prioritizes the well-being of individuals, inspiring them to embrace their true selves and creating a positive energy that drives collaboration, innovation, creativity and productivity. Even more so, it encourages loyalty and commitment among employees, which benefits us, our companies and our employees in the long run.

    The bottom line is simple: Employees who love going to work wake up feeling excited about their day and ultimately, as a result, drive success for the business.

    With these ideas in mind, I used principles of authentic leadership and work-life integration to create a culture that allows employees to be authentic without fear of judgment. I’m proud to say that my team has thrived under this approach, with proven increased engagement, job satisfaction and productivity.

    This all sounds great in theory, but how does it actually work?

    Related: 3 Ways Authentic Leaders Inspire and Retain Employees

    How to create this type of culture

    To bring this approach to life, you have to start with yourself. Authentic leadership is based on a leader’s ability to be honest, transparent and real with their employees while encouraging the reciprocation of these principles. Below are some tips on how you can do just that, with the goal of fostering a workplace culture similar to the one I’ve created:

    1. Lead by example: Model authenticity by being vulnerable and sharing your experiences/emotions with your team. By leading with honesty and promoting transparency, you can create an environment where team members feel comfortable and are empowered to share their own perspectives.

    2. Create a safe space: Encourage a culture where critique is seen as an opportunity for growth by actively seeking feedback. Foster open communication and encourage your team to be transparent and honest with one another, including you. Authenticity goes both ways, meaning you’ll sometimes receive feedback you don’t want to hear; when that happens, put your ego aside and let go of the “I’m the boss, they can’t talk to me that way!!” mentality as it won’t serve you and will only deter your team from being transparent with you.

    3. Provide growth opportunities: Invest in employee growth and development to show that you value your team. Provide training, mentorship and career growth opportunities or a pool of learning resources (i.e., online learning platforms). Don’t skimp on the time spent on learning and development, as this investment will pay off in improved employee retention and satisfaction while creating a culture that values learning and innovation, driving success for the company as a whole.

    4. Foster a healthy work-life integration: Offer flexibility, remote work options and paid time off to avoid burnout. Accept, expect and accommodate the realities of personal life as they are inevitable. Don’t make employees waste time explaining personal commitments or apologizing for external factors during virtual meetings, rather allow them to address them and return to work with renewed focus. Life will go on, with or without the stress, so choose “without” by normalizing work-life integration instead of encouraging worry or fear of judgment when personal life overlaps with work.

    5. Build authentic relationships: If this doesn’t come naturally to you, actively invest in your relationships with your team members by engaging in conversations that strengthen your interest in their lives and well-being to develop trust, respect and empathy. Recognize that your team is your greatest asset, and create a culture where they can feel cared for. Within my team, this approach resulted in great friendships forming, boosting both engagement and collaboration.

    Related: CEO Survival Guide: Leading with Authenticity, Transparency and Trust

    While this approach can bring about incredible outcomes for businesses, it doesn’t come without implications, such as the possible challenge of putting your personal feelings aside to remain professional and objective; this can be especially tricky when you’re faced with making tough decisions involving your team.

    To avoid being blindsided, it’s essential to anticipate the potential impact of personal biases, prepare for them and take steps to reduce their impact. True authentic leaders make decisions based on objective analysis, recognizing and remaining aware of their strengths, weaknesses, values and beliefs. They use these insights to guide decision-making rather than cloud it, allowing them to make more thoughtful and effective decisions than they would otherwise.

    By leveraging both the benefits and implications of the authentic leadership approach, you can promote an environment where both individuals and companies can thrive in building a positive, supportive and fulfilling workplace. After all, we spend a significant portion of our lives at work, so why not spend it happily?

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    Adi Vaxman

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