Whether we play to a crowd or to an audience of one, we all have a platform.

In fact, most of us have multiple platforms – although we may not readily think of them as such. We have platforms at home, with our friends, in our community, at work, and even beyond.

Our “platforms” are settings where we have presence and influence and where there are circumstances that can be leveraged to create change.

It is what we do and how we act in each of these settings and circumstances that establishes our brand.

If we are unhappy or dissatisfied with how we have been defined to date, we can reestablish and begin to realize our ideal brand moving forward by:

1. Taking inventory of all our platforms, and
2. Developing a mindset and system to master and align our actions with what we want to represent and stand for in the eyes of others.

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Standout by Being Positive

No matter our platform, positivity attracts.

Individuals and organizations who strive to make a positive difference inspire others, and their actions in turn create ripples that further attract.

If we want to stand out in a noisy, crowded, and often less-than-positive world (and marketplace), being positive and looking for “win-wins” gives us access.

Capitalizing on that opportunity, however, requires that we engage, encourage, and support others.  To have that become part of our personal brand requires that we do it authentically every day… and that we do so on each of our platforms.

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“Making a positive difference never happens by accident.  Action, courage, and commitment are all required.”

-Peter C. Atherton

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Identity Problem  

Individually, many of us have a problem: we are defined by our work.  This serves to limit our brand and our ability to effectively operate on our other platforms.

It is not entirely our fault, and you are not alone… but, until our workplaces are transformed, it is something each of us will need to tackle individually.

Living a 1- or 2-dimensional life for too long eventually begins to affect our work.  Having a full, balanced, and integrated life is not only something we long for, it is something that gives us longevity… as well as, the ability to recognize and respond to changes and opportunities.

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The Organizational Opportunity

As individuals, we can work to establish, grow, and develop our brands during our personal time, at the office, and/or as part of a side hustle (an entrepreneurial venture outside of our full-time job that aligns with our interests and passions).

As organizations, we need to realize that:

1. Top employees today are interested in developing both a brand and platform at work that is able to be integrated with their lives outside of the office, and
2. Organizations have a 1-in-3 chance at full engagement without creating a relevant and compelling offer in terms of culture and support.

An organization that is able to understand and leverage its platforms, however, can have an advantage.

Organizations have many platforms both internally and externally, including within the industry, the community, and with clients.

These platforms provide multiple opportunities for leaders to co-create, co-brand, and co-impact in ways designed to align the interests of the organization with the personal and professional interests of employees.  This type of leverage moves organizations, talent, and clients simultaneously forward.

Embracing this opportunity, and not falling prey to the tendency to hold-tight to the past or to the status quo, is what attracts, retains, and grows top talent.

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New Rules, New Loyalty

There is no denying that the workplace rules have changed over the past decades.

Boomers, Gen-Xers, and Millennials acutely understand that their jobs and careers are largely in the hands (and possibly the whims) of others they may not even know, and that they are responsible for their own security.  Establishing our own work brand and platform provides a level of career security that would otherwise not exist.

Leaders and organizations who acknowledge, accept, and support this security are embracing the newest rules for the workplace.  In turn, they receive gains in alignment, admiration, and loyalty… all of which leads to a larger dose of engagement and committed growth without the costs of unwanted turnover – a “win-win-win”.

To your winning,

PS – Are you or your team feeling overwhelmed, or are you burning out? There is a big difference and each requires a different approach. Take this FREE quiz to find out where you stand and learn exactly how you can get back on track with two FREE reports by clicking HERE.

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