A radio program on NPR intrigued me recently when a guest was being interviewed on his opinion regarding Obama’s display of leadership and follow-through.  Motivating this and other discussions across the airways is disappointment by some democrats regarding Obama’s “soft style” and/or inability to take a firm stand on strongly-held democratic positions, arguing his actions do not line up with rhetoric used during his election and inaugural address. Similarly, Wisconsin Public Radio aired a discussion recently about the likelihood Obama can be reelected if unemployment remains high and his public approval ratings continue to decline.  In other words, if his leadership brand continues to sour.

All of this has me thinking about “walking the talk” and the importance that walking the talk plays in leadership branding.  Not only for the President of the United States, but also for the Presidents of High Technology Companies.  How we brand ourselves as leaders to our people is directly proportional to getting positive results.

Here’s what we can learn about corporate and personal leadership branding from Mr. President:

Principle #1: Be (and appear to be) fearless in times of difficult decision-making

Middle of the road is the road to nowhere. When we make “middle ground” decisions in an attempt to satisfy all people in our organization, we end up looking like losers (not leaders) to everyone in the company. Finding the middle ground in a difficult situation feels safe, but it will come back to haunt you as your once biggest fans (or loyal employees and customers) gradually turn against you.

Principle #2: It’s a wonderful thing to be loved by many and hated by many

To be loved AND hated is a solid indication you are living by your core values. If you are a great leader, it’s likely your core values lifted you to your position to begin with.  If you are not a great leader, your leadership brand is revealing your true colors to your employees and customers.  Check yourself before you wreck yourself

Principle #3: Give your customers what they want

By giving our customers what they want we can get what we want – loyalty. If you are not capable of giving your internal and external customers what they want, you should not be President or CEO or Mr. Executive.  You’d be a greater contributor doing something you’re good at.  Fearless, values-driven leadership gets results even amongst the strongest resistance and greatest challenges.  This is what your company wants!

So… how to appear and be fearless? How to be loved and hated by many?  Know your values and live by them always.  This is your leadership brand! Easier said than done?  Yes…if you are not a leader.

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Lately I find myself telling people I care about to be prepared.

Prepared for what?  Oh…just a few critical circumstances.

How about losing your job when you least expect it?  You thought it would never happen to you…

How about the special moment in time when you’re courageous enough to walk out on your job because, quite frankly, you can’t take it (or your manager/director/company culture) anymore?  It happens.

How about the time you admit to yourself you want to do something different, but you can’t quite put a finger on what it is?  It nags at you every day and you learn to live with it.  Or do you?

Or, how about living the rest of your entire life doing what you don’t love to do just so you can feel “secure”?

Ugh.

The following 3 steps are for you if you’re:

1) A CEO who doesn’t want to spend the rest of your career working for the company you’re working for right now.

2) An employee who is a leader, and you’re yearning for something more in your career and life.

3) A human being who wants to do more to achieve your full potential before you make your exit in this world.

Step 1: Discover your passion

I know…I make it sound like it’s easy.  What I’ve learned is that it’s our selves who make discovering our passion difficult.  All we need to do is observe.  Consider these 3 questions based on observing your behaviors:

1) In the last 1-2 years, what is it that you’ve been doing such that while you were doing it, the time seemed to fly by?

2) In the last 1-2 years, what was it you were doing such that afterward, you found yourself smiling?

3) In all of your lifetime, what are the top 3 things that, while you were doing it, you absolutely kicked ass?  And still do?  Of those three, which do you love?

Note: Questions 1 and 2 I give props to Robert K. Cooper, Author of The Other 90%.  These two questions literally woke me up in my late 20’s and helped prepare me for the rest of my life.  Thank you Mr. Cooper!

These are not easy questions for everyone (I’m still going over these questions with my mother of 56 years!).  I suggest thinking about it over the next week or so.  Do not force your answers (you’re only reporting to yourself on this one!)

Step 2: Create a powerful web presence based on your passion

This step involves reserving your own domain name (your name) at GoDaddy or some other web hosting platform, then selecting a blog platform such as Quansite, Weebly or blogger and creating articles, podcasts, or video posts about intel and topics involving your passion, followed by driving traffic to your blog via social networking.

For example, I have a friend who’s passionate about relationship building.  I have another friend who’s passionate about DIY home projects for women.  I know a CPA who wishes he were involved with the Theater!  All of these people are less than happy in their “other” careers right now, and would be ill prepared for a job loss or transition to boot.

It is a new day and the Internet is your tool for YOU, Inc.  Go there!

Step 3: Enjoy the ride

When you brand yourself on the internet by blogging about your passion and/or passionate cause, people will take notice of you before they even consider asking you for a resume. This is how opportunities – in tune with who you are – find you and ask you for a meeting, offer partnerships, new roles, etc…

When you do steps 1 and 2 you’ll be delighted to find that you’ve never been happier in your entire life, followed by only a brief moment of anger that you didn’t do this years ago.

This step is where you get the satisfaction of being prepared for an unexpected job loss, career transition, or other life-changing event involving your career and job security.

Why?  Because your brand has provided you credibility, thought leadership, and confidence.

You’re prepared for anything, AND you’re happy!  Fearless leadership at its finest.

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