With A Straight Bat

Personal Brand | Psychology

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You know, life has a funny way of guiding us. I was sort of bouncing around, aimlessly, when a good friend of mine stepped in. He literally turned me around and pointed to a path that had been right under my nose the entire time. I guess I just hadn’t opened my eyes wide enough to see it.

I’ve always had a knack for understanding people. Being able to step into their shoes, to comprehend their emotions and thoughts. No, I don’t have a degree in psychology, I’ve never sat in a lecture hall discussing Freud or Jung, but this fascination for decoding why people act the way they do has always been a part of me. It’s like my own little inbuilt compass.

Right around the same time, I stumbled upon this compelling quote from Samuel Johnson. It struck a chord deep within me. He said, “We are all prompted by the same motives, all deceived by the same fallacies, all animated by hope, obstructed by danger, entangled by desire, and seduced by pleasure.“

You have to admit, that’s pretty intense. It stirred something within me, got those creative cogs turning in my head.

And that’s when it all clicked into place. I felt this overwhelming urge to explore what makes us unique, what makes us stand out from the crowd. What’s our individual spark? This curiosity ignited my journey into the exhilarating realm of personal branding. It’s been quite a ride so far, I can tell you that!

Over the past five or so years, I’ve helped kickstart the personal brand journey for roughly 450 folks. Pro-bono, of course – just for the sheer satisfaction of seeing them thrive and stick to the path I’d helped to map out for them.

And you know what I’ve picked up along the way? It’s interesting. People generally fall into two camps – there are those who crave attention, and then there are those who are on a quest for peace.

Let’s unpack that a bit, shall we?

First up, let’s talk about the attention-seekers. (Btw, ask a cat lover what it means to be an attention-seeker). Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean this in a negative way at all. These are the folks who thrive in the limelight, who love to express themselves openly, who have this incredible knack for drawing others in. They’re the life of the party, the ones always leading the conversation, the ones whose energy is so contagious, it’s almost tangible. Their personal brand is often loud, proud, and unabashedly them. And guess what? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! In fact, their charisma often leads them to be incredible leaders and influencers.

Then, on the other end of the spectrum, we have those in pursuit of peace. These are the people who value tranquility over noise, solitude over crowds. They’re often more introspective, delving deep into their own thoughts and feelings. They cherish the quiet moments that allow them to connect with their inner self. Their personal brand might not be as outwardly flashy or noticeable as the attention-seekers, but it carries a quiet strength that’s just as compelling. They often bring balance, thoughtfulness, and a unique perspective to any table they’re at.

But who finds more success in professional life, attention-seekers or peace lovers?

Well, to be honest, it’s not as clear-cut as it might initially seem.

When we talk about professional success, it’s crucial to remember that success is subjective. What one person views as successful, another might not. Some people might define success as climbing the corporate ladder to the very top, while others might see it as maintaining a healthy work-life balance. But, for the sake of this discussion, let’s consider success as achieving one’s professional goals, whatever they may be.

Attention-seekers, by their nature, are often great at networking, grabbing opportunities, and making their voices heard. They’re typically charismatic individuals who excel at rallying teams, leading projects, and influencing others. This can make them particularly successful in roles where leadership, communication, and persuasion are key.

On the other hand, peace lovers often have a strong capacity for introspection, empathy, and focused work. They may be more comfortable working independently or in smaller, more intimate team settings. Their ability to stay calm under pressure and their preference for balance and tranquility can also mean they’re less likely to burn out. This can lead to success in roles that require deep thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

So, who’s more likely to succeed? Well, the answer is… both!

Research from the field of industrial-organizational psychology often explores these personality traits under the labels of extraversion and introversion. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that extraversion, which you might associate with our attention-seekers, tends to correlate with higher performance in roles that require significant interpersonal interaction, such as sales and management.

However, don’t count the peace-lovers out just yet! According to research from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, introverts, our peace-lovers, can be highly effective leaders, particularly when leading proactive teams. They’re often good at listening and taking others’ ideas on board, fostering an environment where creativity and initiative can thrive.

It’s also essential to highlight that these personality traits aren’t destiny. A comprehensive review by Dr. Brian Little, a renowned personality psychologist, suggests that individuals can and do act ‘out of character’ to meet specific goals or situational demands, a concept known as ‘Free Trait Theory’. This means our attention-seekers can appreciate quiet reflection, and our peace-lovers can step into the limelight when necessary.

At the end of the day, success isn’t defined by personality type but by how well individuals leverage their unique strengths and qualities. What’s key is understanding one’s personal style and knowing when to stretch beyond it. Infact, the most successful teams are often those that include a mix of different personalities and working styles!

Until my next post, embrace your unique style and make it work for you!

Photo by Simon Hrozian on Unsplash