WEBVTT 00:00:19.740 --> 00:00:21.909 How many of you woke up this morning 00:00:21.909 --> 00:00:25.369 and consciously thought of your personal brand 00:00:25.369 --> 00:00:28.680 or coming here and making a great first impression? 00:00:29.590 --> 00:00:30.940 Anyone? 00:00:30.940 --> 00:00:32.570 I didn't think so. 00:00:32.570 --> 00:00:34.330 (Laughter) 00:00:34.330 --> 00:00:37.240 OK, you know that time when you're lying in your bed, 00:00:37.240 --> 00:00:40.140 it's early morning, it's still dark outside. 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:42.710 In fact you shouldn't even be awake. 00:00:42.710 --> 00:00:44.330 But guess what? You are. 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:49.340 You probably have a job interview or a big exam, and it's making you nervous 00:00:49.340 --> 00:00:52.600 and your heart's racing just that little bit faster, 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:57.310 and you know that any minute now that alarm clock to going off violently 00:00:57.310 --> 00:00:59.519 next to your bed, right? 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:04.530 And guess what; reality sets in, and you can't escape the day. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:08.360 Many years ago in the beginning of my career 00:01:08.360 --> 00:01:11.770 I found myself lying in my bed comfortable, warm, and safe 00:01:11.770 --> 00:01:15.240 but knowing that I had a big day ahead of me. 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:19.110 I had my first marketing strategy review. 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:22.070 And what made it worse? 00:01:22.070 --> 00:01:27.310 I was presenting to an international team of very senior executives. 00:01:28.340 --> 00:01:29.880 And guess what? 00:01:29.880 --> 00:01:35.249 They're smart, they're hard to please, and fast to decide. 00:01:36.429 --> 00:01:38.060 So as I'm getting ready, 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:42.449 I realize, not only do I have to tell this compelling story today, 00:01:42.449 --> 00:01:46.129 but I have to look the part, professional. 00:01:47.479 --> 00:01:51.320 So I grab one of, what I call, my power suit, 00:01:51.320 --> 00:01:56.170 and no, it doesn't have a cape, or spurt out pixie dust, 00:01:56.170 --> 00:01:58.850 it just looks good. 00:01:58.850 --> 00:02:03.859 So, I'm in my power suit, and I get in the driver's seat of my car, 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:08.759 and I drive to the office silently rehearsing my opening comments. 00:02:10.219 --> 00:02:15.490 Now here's the deal; I decide to get to that conference room 30 minutes early. 00:02:16.050 --> 00:02:18.120 Do you want to know why? 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:20.880 Not because I just want to be on time and prompt, 00:02:20.880 --> 00:02:22.620 it's a little bit smarter than that; 00:02:22.620 --> 00:02:24.310 I want to gauge the room. 00:02:24.310 --> 00:02:27.510 I want to observe the body language, 00:02:27.510 --> 00:02:30.570 and I want to get a sense of the mood in the room, 00:02:31.530 --> 00:02:35.350 so if necessary I can adjust my delivery 00:02:35.880 --> 00:02:39.130 because I'm not the only one that's been presenting that day. 00:02:41.440 --> 00:02:44.420 The agenda moves on, it's my turn. 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:49.230 I walk into this room holding my head up high, up to the presenters table. 00:02:49.970 --> 00:02:52.600 Even though my nerves are killing me, 00:02:52.600 --> 00:02:55.730 the palms of my hands are even getting a little bit clammy, 00:02:55.730 --> 00:02:57.810 but you don't show anyone, right? 00:02:57.810 --> 00:03:00.450 You just keep it together, those shoulders are straight, 00:03:00.450 --> 00:03:04.080 and I walk in, and I present everyone with this warm welcoming smile. 00:03:05.070 --> 00:03:06.770 I'm still keeping my shoulders back 00:03:06.770 --> 00:03:09.050 because you want to have that power pose. 00:03:09.050 --> 00:03:13.650 And I deliberately make eye contact with the executive panel in front of me 00:03:13.650 --> 00:03:16.000 that I'm about to present to. 00:03:17.380 --> 00:03:21.710 And I begin my opening comments, looking at them straight in the eye 00:03:21.710 --> 00:03:24.480 with confidence because I'm going to own this. 00:03:25.270 --> 00:03:26.620 Well guess what, it works. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:29.450 I capture their attention, and I keep it 00:03:29.450 --> 00:03:34.070 while I tell them about this business problem and a very creative solution. 00:03:34.070 --> 00:03:39.550 Basically all I'm doing is I am telling a story that is painting a picture 00:03:39.550 --> 00:03:42.600 on the opportunity that I just created. 00:03:44.210 --> 00:03:45.270 Well, guess what? 00:03:45.270 --> 00:03:50.190 The next thing I know, I'm being promoted and moved to another continent. 00:03:52.630 --> 00:03:54.910 So I wanted to share that brief example with you 00:03:54.910 --> 00:03:58.380 because that is how impactful and how powerful 00:03:58.380 --> 00:04:01.930 making that first great impression can be. 00:04:02.760 --> 00:04:05.250 If I mess that up who knows. 00:04:05.250 --> 00:04:07.200 You don't get a second chance. 00:04:09.110 --> 00:04:13.319 And under a few seconds, people will make observations 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:17.080 about other people, situations, or environments, 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:21.320 and turn those observations into opinions. 00:04:22.020 --> 00:04:23.680 And we do it so quickly. 00:04:24.840 --> 00:04:28.150 Then you add to it the pace at which technology is evolving. 00:04:28.150 --> 00:04:29.920 It's absolutely incredible. 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:31.920 I just mention the words "social media," 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:34.090 and I'm sure I'll get a smile from all of you. 00:04:34.090 --> 00:04:37.350 Social media has given you a new platform to promote yourself 00:04:37.350 --> 00:04:39.220 and represent yourself. 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:40.860 And you'll agree with me 00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:43.920 that there's pretty much an app for anything out there, right? 00:04:45.200 --> 00:04:50.560 Here's what you won't be able to order online or download via an app today: 00:04:51.230 --> 00:04:52.280 your image, 00:04:53.650 --> 00:04:55.140 your personal brand, 00:04:56.090 --> 00:05:00.090 and your ability to correctly apply professional etiquette 00:05:00.090 --> 00:05:01.660 in the work environment. 00:05:02.760 --> 00:05:04.449 So guess what? 00:05:04.449 --> 00:05:08.849 For the next few minutes I'm as close as you're going to get to that app. 00:05:09.449 --> 00:05:12.709 So put your phones down, start to download now. 00:05:13.599 --> 00:05:15.659 And here's the reason: For the last 25 years 00:05:15.659 --> 00:05:18.219 I've built relationships across the globe. 00:05:18.219 --> 00:05:22.660 And to do that well, I had to really consciously develop my social smarts, 00:05:22.660 --> 00:05:26.720 I had to develop the ability to create these great first impressions, 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:30.390 and most importantly, to build my personal brand. 00:05:31.750 --> 00:05:35.030 Today I run seminars, and I think I've got the best job 00:05:35.030 --> 00:05:38.750 because I work with people and help them identify what their brand is, 00:05:38.750 --> 00:05:40.730 by, not only by what they do 00:05:41.650 --> 00:05:43.990 but why they do it, and why it matters to them. 00:05:43.990 --> 00:05:45.150 When you need to show up 00:05:45.150 --> 00:05:48.110 I'll help you bring the best version of you that you can. 00:05:48.820 --> 00:05:53.119 You know this, building trust-based relationships today doesn't happen 00:05:53.119 --> 00:05:55.009 by the click of a button. 00:05:55.619 --> 00:05:58.979 It is a process that requires human interaction, 00:06:00.059 --> 00:06:02.369 authentic human interaction. 00:06:02.919 --> 00:06:04.439 And you'll agree with me, 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:09.570 relationships both in your personal and professional life take a lot of work. 00:06:11.380 --> 00:06:16.610 So here's the thing; the way you show up, the image you project, 00:06:18.370 --> 00:06:22.809 the first impression you create will ultimately inform people 00:06:22.809 --> 00:06:24.669 how you want to be treated. 00:06:25.409 --> 00:06:27.690 Because they're going to look at the non-verbals: 00:06:27.690 --> 00:06:30.789 What's your body language, your attire? 00:06:30.789 --> 00:06:32.969 Do you have eye-contact, or the lack thereof? 00:06:32.969 --> 00:06:34.430 Are you really listening? 00:06:34.430 --> 00:06:36.209 The tone of your voice. 00:06:37.309 --> 00:06:40.149 So you're probably sitting there in your seats going, 00:06:40.149 --> 00:06:44.029 "That's not completely fair. So, people think about all of these?" 00:06:44.050 --> 00:06:45.620 Well yeah, they do. 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:48.939 You know how the old adage goes, right? "Judging a book by its cover"? 00:06:49.070 --> 00:06:52.680 Well, guess what; we all do it, it's human nature, and the reason being 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:57.340 is our brains, our imaginations, first of all, are so powerful. 00:06:57.770 --> 00:07:02.570 Our brains are filled with data points that become these preferences 00:07:02.570 --> 00:07:06.989 for how we perceive others in that first encounter. 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:10.850 Think about the minute you first fell in love. 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:13.559 That was your preference. 00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:16.680 It's incredible, as humans we will take 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:17.720 an image, 00:07:18.270 --> 00:07:19.170 an object, 00:07:19.700 --> 00:07:20.520 a situation, 00:07:21.420 --> 00:07:23.999 and we will start to fill in the blanks 00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:28.209 based on what we see, what we don't see, 00:07:28.969 --> 00:07:32.189 or guess what, what you want to see. 00:07:33.479 --> 00:07:35.430 It's human nature; we all do it. 00:07:35.940 --> 00:07:37.240 So okay, you get it right? 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:38.440 First impressions matter. 00:07:38.440 --> 00:07:41.879 But so does your personal brand, and that matters even more. 00:07:42.269 --> 00:07:44.069 So what do I mean by personal brand? 00:07:44.069 --> 00:07:46.030 Well, I'm a brand. 00:07:46.490 --> 00:07:48.309 You're a brand. 00:07:48.309 --> 00:07:51.430 Collectively in this room we are a brand 00:07:52.010 --> 00:07:54.700 whether you are consciously building it or not. 00:07:55.550 --> 00:08:00.910 In this case, your personal brand - think about it - it's the intellectual, 00:08:00.910 --> 00:08:05.839 visual, and emotional impression people have when they think of you. 00:08:06.689 --> 00:08:10.779 That would be their summary of you in their mind, 00:08:11.489 --> 00:08:14.159 in an unspoken instance. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:21.509 Now, your personal brand can be so powerful and impactful; 00:08:22.119 --> 00:08:26.849 it can sell you, differentiate you, and set you apart from others. 00:08:29.809 --> 00:08:31.359 But you need to ask yourself: 00:08:31.359 --> 00:08:33.749 is the personal brand that I have right now today 00:08:33.749 --> 00:08:36.799 the most accurate and impactful one for me? 00:08:38.269 --> 00:08:42.750 See, here's the thing; we can all - you can do it, I can do it - 00:08:42.750 --> 00:08:48.130 we can all fake those first few seconds of that first impression, right? 00:08:48.130 --> 00:08:50.560 We all know how to show up well when we want to. 00:08:50.560 --> 00:08:53.579 We know how to do that, so you can fake that. 00:08:53.579 --> 00:08:59.180 Don't ever fake your personal brand; that has to be authentic to be accurate. 00:09:01.420 --> 00:09:04.180 It's got to be authentic to be accurate. 00:09:04.180 --> 00:09:06.850 And in this case you want your personal brand 00:09:06.850 --> 00:09:09.280 to be the result of a sustained effort 00:09:09.280 --> 00:09:12.280 to be the very best version of you that you can be. 00:09:13.570 --> 00:09:18.250 So, if you're at version 1.0, how do you get to 1.5 and 2.0 and 2.5 00:09:18.250 --> 00:09:21.470 as you grow your career and your personal life? 00:09:21.470 --> 00:09:24.329 All experiences that you will gain throughout your life 00:09:24.329 --> 00:09:26.509 is only going to add to your brand. 00:09:27.149 --> 00:09:29.229 So where do you start? 00:09:29.229 --> 00:09:32.830 Well, I'm sure you've all researched a project this week, 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:37.090 maybe some of you have researched a recipe or a book. 00:09:38.380 --> 00:09:42.400 But how about you start doing research on yourself? 00:09:42.770 --> 00:09:45.080 I'm going to share with you a couple of questions 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:48.440 that you can actually ask yourself and start writing these answers down 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:50.010 because they will be very leading 00:09:50.010 --> 00:09:53.410 into helping you identify your personal brand. 00:09:53.410 --> 00:09:56.350 And it's only a subset of what we can really dive into, 00:09:56.350 --> 00:09:58.550 but I think you'll get my point. 00:09:58.550 --> 00:10:01.010 So start with you first. 00:10:01.010 --> 00:10:03.670 And it's easy to say, "What are you passionate about?" 00:10:03.670 --> 00:10:06.100 "I love red cars," well, no. That's not it. 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:10.860 What are you really passionate about? What do you love doing the most? 00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:14.290 Think about that, because sometimes it's not that easy to answer 00:10:14.290 --> 00:10:18.430 when you really think about what you want to be passionate about in life. 00:10:18.430 --> 00:10:22.640 And then start thinking about what are your strongest attributes. 00:10:23.540 --> 00:10:25.279 What sets you apart? 00:10:25.929 --> 00:10:27.329 What do you rock at? 00:10:28.229 --> 00:10:32.670 If I were to ask you to summarize you in a little two minute story for me, 00:10:32.670 --> 00:10:34.190 what would you say? 00:10:37.380 --> 00:10:38.650 Think about that. 00:10:40.160 --> 00:10:43.600 Now I want you to take a step outside of yourself for a second, 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:46.090 and think about how others will perceive you. 00:10:48.410 --> 00:10:51.880 Do they think you're as good as what you think you're good at? 00:10:51.880 --> 00:10:54.199 Do they know what your passions are? 00:10:55.069 --> 00:10:58.710 How would they describe you when you're not in the room? 00:10:59.910 --> 00:11:03.680 How would somebody summarize you if they are referring you 00:11:03.680 --> 00:11:06.200 for a job or an opportunity? 00:11:06.880 --> 00:11:08.590 What would they say about you? 00:11:08.590 --> 00:11:11.149 Think about that: Have you ever thought about that? 00:11:11.149 --> 00:11:13.440 So here's what I will implore you to do: 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:14.910 Go and seek the feedback 00:11:14.910 --> 00:11:18.580 from family, friends, work colleagues, people around you that know you, 00:11:18.990 --> 00:11:22.120 and ask them to tell you how they would describe you. 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:26.579 That should give you a good summation of what your current brand is. 00:11:28.290 --> 00:11:31.610 So you think about those questions, you write those answers down, 00:11:31.610 --> 00:11:34.710 and you start describing yourself as an own brand. 00:11:34.710 --> 00:11:38.250 You have to start doing this, you have to start living it. 00:11:38.250 --> 00:11:41.560 And I mean really living it because the more you practice, 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:45.480 the better your ability is going to get to tell your story. 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:48.889 You got to be able to tell your story. 00:11:49.509 --> 00:11:55.119 But here's a word of caution: I mentioned social media earlier? 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:59.920 Please be consistent across all your social media profiles 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:03.140 in how you articulate you and your brand. 00:12:03.140 --> 00:12:05.920 Do not work on a professional brand 00:12:05.920 --> 00:12:10.329 and have your social media accounts demonstrate something different. 00:12:10.329 --> 00:12:12.620 I think you know what I mean. Right? 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:17.650 I say you are what you post. 00:12:20.290 --> 00:12:21.350 Be careful. 00:12:21.350 --> 00:12:22.310 Be smart. 00:12:22.310 --> 00:12:23.030 Think. 00:12:23.030 --> 00:12:25.860 And if you have any doubts, don't hit that button. 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:27.190 Don't post it. 00:12:27.190 --> 00:12:31.560 Think about it, but make sure, please, across all these platforms - 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:33.849 and we have so many social media platforms - 00:12:33.849 --> 00:12:35.580 that you have a consistent profile. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:41.200 Your profile should very briefly describe you and peak people's interest. 00:12:42.690 --> 00:12:44.440 And then the hard work starts 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:47.210 because now you have to start nurturing networks around you 00:12:47.210 --> 00:12:50.050 that are going to be influential in your life. 00:12:50.050 --> 00:12:51.830 And people are going to refer to you, 00:12:51.830 --> 00:12:54.710 because your brand is going to become your trademark, 00:12:56.390 --> 00:13:00.129 and people will refer to you based on what your brand entails. 00:13:00.129 --> 00:13:03.900 So take some time and assess where you are with your current brand 00:13:03.900 --> 00:13:06.959 and start thinking of ways that you can make it better. 00:13:08.529 --> 00:13:10.050 So now it's your turn. 00:13:10.050 --> 00:13:14.640 If ever you find yourself in a situation like I did, and I'm positive you will. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:20.880 Make sure to take that deep breathe, observe the environment around you first. 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:24.580 Raise that conscious awareness of yourself: 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:27.260 social and situational smarts. 00:13:27.260 --> 00:13:31.660 And when you need to show up, make a great impression. 00:13:32.990 --> 00:13:37.189 Be able to articulate your brand based on experiences. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:42.850 And here's the thing; life is just a series of moments. 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:46.420 Here's what I ask of you. 00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:50.749 Show up well, build a brand that is authentically you. 00:13:51.979 --> 00:13:57.189 If you do that, you can make every moment count. 00:13:58.619 --> 00:13:59.389 Thank you. 00:13:59.389 --> 00:14:01.864 (Applause)