What are you known for?
I was recently interviewing Jim Link, Chief Human Resources Officer for SHRM on Life in the Leadership Lane podcast episode 139. Jim is an inspiring leader that’s doing great work for HR and business community leaders. During our conversation, Jim started talking about followership and how “everyone needs to be known for something”. This got me thinking about personal branding and how we all are known for something – but do we know what that something is? When we are able to clarify, we create followership, we create inspiration, and mostly we create value for others. Jim shared that about how Jack Welch would find people to “fill the gaps” in the areas where he needed help in his business. He found them because they were “known for something.
So here is my question for you? What are you known for? Is it… Leadership, running, working on cars, bringing ideas to the workplace, being a great salesperson, coaching, being kind, having empathy, finances, connecting with people, motivational speaking, or fill in the blank...
I was recently sitting in my living room and asked my wife what I was known for… she said without hesitation – “networking”. I smiled and thought that was really insightful. I asked another person and they said “leadership”. The other day I received a text from a friend that read since you are “known for HR”, can you help? I have asked others and they have said “moving people”. I recently had a guy share a video of him bowling and he said every time he thinks of bowling, he thinks of me. Last week I walked into a national speaker meeting and I was introduced as the “SHRM” guy to everyone. Earlier this month I received a note asking if I was available to speak at their company event to motivate and inspire the team. Many times, I am being introduced as the guy who wrote the book Find Your Lane or he hosts a podcast. Wow, moving people, speaking, HR, Texas SHRM, Bowling, Find Your Lane book, hosting podcasts… This got me thinking. Can we be known for too much?
As I reflect, I think about how the more we are known for - the more we can help each other. Based on my conversations, I am known for being a relocation executive and a keynote motivational speaker on leadership that enjoys serving the HR and business community. …oh, and he loves bowling! As you can see, the narrower our focus, the more clarity people will have when thinking about us.
When we are known for something, we create opportunities in our career and in our community to help others especially with the things that energize us. When I think of my friends, I immediately know what I can reach out to them for – electrician, recruiter, volunteer, business leader, speaker, relocation resource, and more. However, if we don’t let people know what we want to be known for, then we may not be able to help even when we know we can.
How narrow is your focus? Do you know what you are known for? If not, then ask… ask your network, ask on social, ask some colleagues, ask friends. When you find out, build your career around that answer – or change lanes to help others! You’ll be glad you did!
"Ask yourself three times a day what’s important to you, and have the courage to build your life around that answer.” Tom Watson
This is “Move to Inspire” with Bruce Waller! For more information, call 972-389-5673, or email bwaller@goarmstrong.com or check out my social media Facebook and Twitter page. Also, check out www.BruceWaller.com to review my leadership books “Life in the Leadership Lane”, “Find Your Lane” or pick up a copy of my journal “Milemarkers” to start recording your everyday. All books are available on amazon. Be sure to subscribe to my YOUTUBE channel to watch the video podcasts and other messages to help you lead in the workplace! “Life in the Leadership Lane podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform including APPLE, GOOGLE, and SPOTIFY. Interested in a book club? Join our book club “CLIMB” on Facebook.