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“Hey Charlotte, I understand why attorneys in private practice need a strong personal brand, but I’m an in-house lawyer. Why does it matter to me?”
Creating a strong personal brand is crucial to career success. Period.
Whatever the economic climate. Even if you are happy, motivated, safe and secure in your role – personal branding is relevant.
Personal branding will help you excel in your career. People with strong personal brands see more promotions, increases in salary, and better opportunities. Today, I will dive deep into why cultivating a strong personal brand is an incredibly smart investment for all in-house attorneys.
Personal branding is the conscious and intentional effort to promote yourself, in order to create and grow influence as an authority and leader.
In very simple terms, it is personal advocacy. It’s being able to communicate your value, both within your organization, and externally at industry level and beyond.
Personal branding is how you want to be perceived professionally – by your colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders. Personal branding is how you represent your company. And it’s how you help your employer to enhance their brand.
Personal branding isn’t about having fancy business cards or that signature Steve Jobs style turtleneck. Yes that’s great. BUT, in a word, your personal brand is YOU.
It’s who you are. It’s what you stand for. It’s your lawyer superpower. It’s being renowned for your meticulous drafting skills. It’s being known for your attention to detail.
As a lawyer coach who focuses both on mindset and strategy– mindset is a major hurdle to career success. I am now going to share with you some of the common mindset blocks which arise when we focus on the topic of self-advocacy and personal branding.
In the last few weeks I have heard:
“I don’t like talking about myself, self-promotion seems out of alignment, and not in integrity for me”
“I’m not really an expert, I am relatively junior in my organization so promoting myself doesn’t feel right”
“I am so overworked, my employers already know how hard I work in this business, so what’s the point”
“The thought of promoting myself online scares me, what if I say the wrong thing”
And let’s be honest. All of these statements resonate. For a long time as a junior lawyer in the UK, I found it hard to self-advocate in an effective manner. Self-advocacy, networking and personal branding, like strong muscles, are skills that require honing and practicing but these are skills that can be built.
So how do we unpick these blocks and limitations? We create awareness.
Ask yourself how true are the statements? Are they “true” or are these simply “limiting beliefs” which are holding you back and keeping you playing small?
We can self advocate without being braggadocios. In fact, no matter your experience level, you already have a personal brand. You’re hardworking. A fast learner. You have earned all your success so far!
Jessica Nguyen, General Counsel of Lexion, known for Solo GC of the Year, top voice on LinkedIn, and champion for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Anna Lozynski, Executive General Counsel of L’Oreal known for consistently showing up on LinkedIn with great content around mindset and innovation.
Colin Levy, Legal Counsel at Lookout, known for job search content, legal innovation and much more.
Mel Scott, Senior Legal Counsel, Megaport, known for her awesome “Counsel” podcast where she interviews in-house counsel from around the globe.
Colin McCarthy, Founder of Legal Operators, Community Builder, thought leader and master of all things legal ops.
Nada Alnajafi, Founder of Contract Nerds, known for captivating and substantive content around contract drafting, negotiation and management on LinkedIn, delivered with lashings of personality.
Me! Charlotte Smith, Former Lawyer turned Executive Coach for Attorneys and In-House Counsel, and host of the Limitless Lawyer Podcast.
Website: http://www.charlotte-smith.com
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