The job market has changed in ways we never could have imagined - and will continue to change - as we grapple with a new Covid world.  Businesses large and small have been forced to re-invent, reorganize and in some cases close due to changes beyond our control. In a world where face to face is now often zoom to zoom, leadership personal brand is more critical than ever.

Covid has accelerated the already VUCA world experts have been telling us was coming and is now here, and there are a few things that reign supreme in a VUCA world: consistency and clarity matter even more than being right. Additionally, willingness to pick a direction, make a decision and rally people around it the research also tells us is critical for leaders in this new world.

This is why personal brand has become so important. We can no longer allow people to "get to know us" in traditional means. People must know quickly and clearly what they can expect of you, what you value and what your message or messages are for them.  Social media has further accelerated this trend - if you don't post or play, the algorithm makes it hard for you to be seen, for your message to emerge. What is your leadership brand?  It's more than your reputation - it's what you're known for, what people can expect of you, and it's consistent. 

So ask yourself: what is your brand?  And how can you leverage it to lead? Or to land that dream job?  Contact us at Metro & Wythe Leadership today to help you build, refine or leverage your brand to work for you.

One could ask what does Valentine's day have to do with leadership?  Well, self-love is a critical aspect of maintaining a balanced life.  The internal balance that comes from self-love and care is critical for leaders to develop in order to maintain the energy, clarity and focus required to lead in this unpredictable and ever changing world.  So why not make loving yourself a priority this Valentine’s Day? 

Step 1:   Make the Time
Carving out even a little bit of time for your own happiness can go a long, long way.

• Make time for one small change; decide upon one hour, once a week for self- care.
• Commit to this time. Make sure that those around you know that you are making self-care a priority and don’t let yourself get pulled away by the “shoulds.” That hour is for you. 

Step 2:   Do What You Enjoy
Is there a hobby or activity that leaves you feeling refreshed or fulfilled afterwards? Then do it!

• Brainstorm a list of all the things that you do that really make you happy. Make your list rich and full of options.
• Experiment with happiness. Maybe one week you read, the next week you take a leisurely bath, the following week you phone a dear friend. Try different things, change will keep you excited and dedicated to your self-care.   

   
Step 3:   Keep It Going
Once you’ve made the time and identified an activity or activities that give you joy, don’t derail your progress. “You are what you think,” so keep that thinking positive.

• Engage in positive, reaffirming thoughts, for example, “I am worthy,” or “I deserve time for me.”  For reinforcement, write it down in multiple places and repeat it every day.
• Actively try to avoid negativity in your thinking, in those with whom you associate and in what you do. Choose your  wisely. If spending time on social media is a downer for you, then avoid it.

Keep in mind that no one knows you as well as you know yourself. Celebrate YOU. Give yourself the gift of time on a regular basis to do what you love. You deserve it and you will be a better person for it.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

As a writer for YourTango, Margaret offers advice around how getting a late start on new year's resolutions doesn't have to mean failure.  She offers three actions readers can take to reach their personal life goals. 

​https://www.yourtango.com/experts/margaret-billy-quandt/achieveing-your-goals

Margaret's 2017 article for YourTango giving women advice around how to ask for a salary raise.

https://www.yourtango.com/experts/margaret-billy-quandt/she-works-hard-money