I have a very serious business question to ask you. It’s the kind of question that should make you really stop to think before you answer. No split second responses please. Ready? Here you go….. Is your personality shining through in your business?
I’m serious! It is one of those foundational aspects of your business that should be front and center in your mind every day. The truth is, there are so many humdrum boring businesses out there it literally could make your head spin. In fact, they are a dime-a-dozen. It is the businesses that have a leader that shines with personality and charisma that make their followers stop and take notice. That is the kind of business you want to build to be successful.
You may be saying, “Karen… how do I let my personality shine through in my business?” That’s a great question. I can honestly say to you that in my business, Make A Difference Make A Living, it has taken me some time to wrap my head around the concept of personality in a business because of my years as a business owner in the corporate world.
My traditional educational background is a degree in Accounting and Business Management. Can you get anymore structured than that? Everything has a place, a procedure and a system. There is no place for personality or charisma required for those businesses. As an owner of several businesses prior to my current company, I had learned that the leader of a company had to operate within certain parameters and guidelines. In one of my companies I was leading 50 employees so for me that took the responsibility factor up several notches.
What I’ve learned since those days is that my personality infused in my business is what is going to bring it massive success. The authenticity and genuineness that I bring each day is what is going to set me apart from other business coaches and mentors in the health industry. The same is absolutely true for you in your business.
Let me give you a couple of examples. Think of your favorite HGTV or Food Network show that is only in year two or three. For this example I want to use Property Brothers and Mexican Made Easy (two shows I love to watch). Both of these shows are in year two. It is very noticeable how different both of these shows make me feel as a viewer because the personality of the stars is shining through this year.
Don’t get me wrong, the first year was good, (obviously or it wouldn’t still be on the network, right?) but compared to the second year the first year feels very mechanical and dry. It has been such a pleasure watching as the character and personality of the stars have come through with facial expressions, laughter and a sincerity that makes me feel like they could be my next best friend.
That is what I wish for you in your business. Let your personality shine through for everyone to see. Maybe you have a unique laugh or some small quirky trait that your friends love but you’ve been trying to hide from you clients. Today is the day that you stop hiding it and let it stand out as part of your uniqueness.
I like to call this the “Anatomy Of Your Business”. Let’s break it down….
Your Face: It’s the thing that people remember about you. It’s your picture that shows up on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram that reminds them over and over what you look like. It’s the reason why it is so important to have the exact same photo in every single spot your clients and potential clients are hanging out. Consistency is key for building a successful business.
Your Heart and Soul: This one is a biggie my friend. Infusing what is true for you in your heart and soul into your business is how you will become an extraordinary business owner. It is where the real you begins to shine through. It is how connections and relationships are built. It is where trust begins to form between you and your followers. No more parameters and guidelines…. Just the authentic you shining through.
Your Message: The message of your business model is where you gain momentum and impact. If the only thing you care about is making the next sale, putting money in your pocket or scoring the next big deal then you’re missing the point. Building real connectedness and relationship with your audience is not only your path to success it is also your path to complete fulfillment and satisfaction in your career. When people know you aren’t going anywhere because you’re regularly connecting with them through your newsletter or blog and you are regularly connecting on Facebook and Twitter then they know they can trust you. The trust they put in you because of your message is sacred and must be treated accordingly.
Your Personality: This is the fun part. This is where you can let the real you shine through. People connect with authenticity. When they know you are authentic they will want to get to know you better – the good, bad, ugly, bumps, bruises and scars. The real deal! Don’t be afraid to be who you really are. When you are writing your newsletter imagine you are writing it to a friend. When you are doing a video imagine you are sitting across the table from someone who desperately needs the information you are sharing. It’s that simple. No dog and pony show. Just you and your followers hanging out building connection and trust.
When I finally came to the conclusion that I just needed to be “me” in my business it gave me a huge feeling of exhilaration but also a moment of pause. What if people didn’t like who I really was and rejected me. What if I couldn’t meet all of their expectations? Then one day it hit me like a ton of bricks. Just like the authentic personal life I’ve been living for 40+ years, I will attract some people in my business and not others because of my personality and authenticity and I’m just fine with that.
Ultimately it has given me freedom to break down barriers and the walls of the traditional business model to live in a new world of business where being authentic is what is appreciated. If you are like me and have lived life in the corporate world you will know exactly what I’m talking about. Hopefully, you will break down those walls in your business as soon as possible and let your beautiful spirit shine like a beacon of hope to all the people that need your support.
Please do me a favor. Jump over to my Facebook page and tell me one trait about yourself that you’ve been trying to hold back from your clients that you will now let shine. No lengthy explanation needed unless you want to. A one-word post will be just fine. I look forward to seeing you there! http://www.facebook.com/KarenPattockBiz
To your success,
Karen
Karen, as a student at IIN, I have been following your posts. They are succinct and soft. I have been using the IIN materials to put my stuff together. It is kind of like lumbering down the road in a rickety wagon as the sleek lamborghini streaks by. One of these days, I may be looking for a mentor. I am in the process of field testing some ideas first. I want to get things transferred over to a crisper coherent web presence. Since I am 63, I am transitioning into my third life….making health and fitness my retirement hobby.
Hi Mary! Thank you for your comments. I always love to know that the articles I am writing are what others need to hear. I’m always focused on what health practitioners need to build their businesses. If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up for my 14-day free course that will touch on many areas of building your business. It requires approximately 10 minutes per day. Go to my website and you can sign up right at the top of the page! Thanks again and never stop learning!!