What’s your current brand? Use this 4 step framework for a more objective view.

We all have blind spots that people who know us best can help us navigate.

I have blind spots that people who know me best can help me navigate.

My coach suggested this personal branding exercise. Here are the steps:

• Ask 5 to 10 people who know you well in a work setting to each share five words they think describe you best.

• Choose people you trust and who can be honest with you.

• Capture the words they offer in a text document.

• Edit the words so minor variations in how they describe “creative,” for example, all use” creative.”

• Optional: Use a word cloud generator to create a word cloud to help you see the emphasized words.

These words reveal your current brand, so take some time to reflect:

• How accurate are they?

• Why do you think that?

• What behaviors contribute to the words they used?

• Why do you think that’s so?

• What changes should you make?

• Which words should be your focus?

This exercise is a great starting point.

• You can use it with your direct reports and colleagues.

• You can identify behaviors you might need to change.

• You can learn how you might position yourself or your company in the marketplace.

I hope this is helpful. If you have questions, drop a comment below.