Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

Insights from It’s Your Outcome Career Coaching

What comes to mind when your team hears your name? Are you seen as someone who listens? Empowers? Drives results?

Every leader has a brand—whether intentional or not. It’s the unique combination of values, strengths, and actions that define how you show up, influence others, and leave a lasting impression.

Here’s the truth: most companies haven’t prioritized helping leaders uncover their unique leadership brand. They invest in technical skills, management training, and team-building workshops but often overlook this critical aspect of leadership development.

That’s where I come in. My work focuses on helping leaders like you discover and refine their leadership brand, giving you the tools to inspire your team and drive results. This concept may feel new, but it’s rooted in an essential truth: how you lead is as important as what you achieve.

This blog will help you start that journey. By the end, you’ll learn:

• Why having a clear leadership brand matters for building trust and engagement.
• How to identify and align your values, strengths, and goals.
• Actionable steps to refine your leadership presence and inspire your team.

Plus, I’m creating a Leadership Brand Workbook to guide you through this process.

Your leadership brand is your greatest asset—let’s uncover it together.

The Problem: Unclear Leadership Branding

Many leaders feel stuck or uncertain about what sets them apart. They rely on good intentions, hard work, and technical skills but overlook the importance of clarity and consistency in their leadership identity.

Here’s the challenge:

• Inconsistent Perception: Without a clear brand, your team may see you differently than you intend.
• Missed Opportunities: A lack of intentionality can prevent you from fully leveraging your strengths to inspire trust and engagement.
• Unaligned Actions: When your actions don’t reflect your values, it creates confusion and erodes confidence.

Most organizations haven’t brought in someone to help leaders define and refine their leadership brands. This gap means many leaders are navigating these challenges alone, without the tools or guidance to succeed.

The result? A disconnect between how you want to lead and how you’re perceived.

The Triple Impact of Leadership Branding

When leaders intentionally shape their brand, the benefits ripple across three levels:

1. For the Leader

A clear leadership brand helps you:

• Build confidence in your unique strengths and values.
• Communicate your vision more effectively, making it easier to gain trust and buy-in.
• Set yourself apart for opportunities like promotions, projects, or collaborations.

Example: Imagine knowing exactly how you’re perceived and leveraging that clarity to inspire others and advance your career.

2. For the Team

When your team knows what you stand for as a leader, they:

• Feel more aligned with your goals and values, reducing confusion and fostering trust.
• Are more motivated and engaged, knowing their leader is authentic and consistent.
• Experience stronger collaboration and less conflict, as your leadership sets a clear tone.

Example: A leader who consistently communicates their value of inclusivity creates a team environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

3. For the Organization

Leadership branding isn’t just personal—it’s strategic. Organizations with leaders who have clear brands see:

• Improved morale and retention, as employees feel inspired by consistent and effective leadership.
• Greater innovation and productivity, driven by trust and alignment.
• A stronger reputation, as leadership branding builds a culture of clarity, authenticity, and results.

Example: When leadership aligns with organizational values, it becomes easier to attract top talent and achieve long-term success.

The Solution: Building an Authentic Leadership Brand

To uncover and refine your leadership brand, focus on three key areas: your values, your strengths, and your narrative. Here’s how:

1. Identify Your Core Values

Your values are the foundation of your brand. They guide your decisions, actions, and interactions.

Ask Yourself:

• What principles do I stand for?
• What behaviors do I consistently demonstrate?
• What values do I want my team to associate with me?

Actionable Step: Write down three core values you want to embody as a leader (e.g., empathy, innovation, accountability).

2. Pinpoint Your Strengths

Your strengths set you apart as a leader. These are the skills, traits, and abilities that others rely on you for.

Ask Yourself:

• What do people consistently seek my input on?
• When have I felt most effective as a leader?
• What’s the “one thing” I bring to the table that others don’t?

Actionable Step: Ask three colleagues or team members for feedback on what they see as your greatest strengths.

3. Craft Your Leadership Narrative

Your leadership narrative is how you communicate your values and strengths to your team. It’s the story you tell through your words and actions.

Ask Yourself:

• Does my leadership style align with the vision I have for my team?
• Do my actions consistently reflect my values and goals?
• How do I want my leadership to be remembered?

Actionable Step: Write a one-sentence summary of your leadership brand, such as:

“I lead with empathy and clarity, inspiring my team to innovate and grow.”

Quick Wins to Build Your Leadership Brand

1. Define Your Values Today: Spend 10 minutes writing down three words that describe the leader you want to be.
2. Seek Immediate Feedback: Ask one trusted colleague or team member, “What’s one thing you think I do really well as a leader?”
3. Align Actions With Intentions: Identify one behavior that doesn’t match your values and commit to changing it this week.

Conclusion: Your Leadership Brand Is Your Legacy

Your leadership brand isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity. By uncovering and refining your values, strengths, and narrative, you can stand out as a leader who inspires trust, motivates teams, and drives results.

Organizations may not have emphasized leadership branding yet, but the leaders who take the initiative to define their brand will set themselves apart. You don’t have to navigate this process alone—I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

What kind of leader do you want to be remembered as? The time to start building your brand is now.

PS:

Want to take the next step in defining your leadership brand? Contact us to join the waitlist for our Leadership Brand Workbook. Once it’s ready, you’ll be the first to know and gain access to actionable insights that will help you uncover your values, strengths, and unique story.