There may be such a thing as born leaders, but any leader must earn his or her following by words and actions. The hallmark characteristics of strong leaders include; taking risks, accepting tough challenges, speaking out when in disagreement, focusing on being respected verses just being “liked”, being open to honest feedback, and avoiding the use of destructive language.
The following is an excerpt from Brenda Bence’s article that expands on the leader’s personal branding traits:
How Leaders Earn Brand-Loyalty for Life
The truth is that we all have a personal brand whether we like it or not. Simply by being ourselves in the work place, others perceive, think, and feel about us in a certain way. The question is whether we have created the personal brand we want. This is especially important for those who hold leadership positions. If you lead others, the way they perceive, think, and feel about you as a leader, in relation to other leaders, can make or break your short-term and long-term success. These “others” might consist of your subordinates, colleagues, superiors, or even entire divisions or corporations.
Your leadership personal brand impacts your image, your reputation, your relationships, and your performance. As a result, it will also impact your overall career and your finances. So, unless you create your desired leadership personal brand consciously, negative perceptions can undermine your best efforts.”
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