Now y’all know this girl does not play games when it comes to business.
Okay, that’s not entirely true. I play games all the time. I love to cut up, but I also believe in work hard, play hard. We have a good time, but we also get solid work done.
This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to run the education point for the BNI Rebel Rockstars chapter here in Lancaster, PA. Each member received four strips of paper and we went through a series of exercises designed to draw us back to understanding how we’re actually being perceived/remembered by those around us.
Here’s how the exercise went (feel free to grab a few of your peeps to replicate this).
Part 1: Describe Your Role Without Titles
I asked everyone to write what they do without using their job titles. Just a couple of words to succinctly explain their role. They flipped the paper over and pushed it to the side.
Part 2: Describe Your Neighbor’s Value
Next, they looked to the person on their left and wrote down what that person does, again avoiding job titles and focusing on the value they bring. They handed the paper to the person it described, who kept it face down.
Part 3: Identify a Character Trait
Then, they looked to the person on their right and quickly jotted down a character trait that stood out to them, whether related to business or personal qualities. This was also handed to the described person, who kept it face down.
Part 4: Describe How the Person Makes You Feel
Lastly, they looked to the person on their left and wrote a knee-jerk reaction of how they felt when engaging with that person. This could be anything from feeling calm to energized or seen and heard. They handed the paper back to the described person, who kept it face down.
At the end of the exercise, each person turned over their papers to see what was written.
The Importance of Perception in Branding
Why go through an exercise like this? It’s incredibly insightful to understand how those around you perceive your role, value, and character. This influences not only how they engage with you/your brand but also how they’d maybe describe you when sharing about you with others or if you even come to mind when they or their connects have a need you could help them resolve.
Often, we assume that everyone knows what we do, especially if we’ve mentioned it repeatedly. However, this isn’t always the case.
People’s perceptions are crucial in crafting your brand’s message. It’s essential to help them develop a perception of you that aligns with what you want to be known for. If you leave it up to them to figure it out, they might guess incorrectly, which can hurt your brand.
Be Intentional About Your Messaging
Consistent and intentional messaging is key. It’s not enough to show up at networking events or be active on social media; you need to communicate your value and character clearly and consistently. This doesn’t mean repeating the same message verbatim but reinforcing key themes and points that highlight what you want people to remember about you.
Make an Impact with How You Make People Feel
People might forget what you say, but they won’t forget how you make them feel. This emotional connection significantly influences how they perceive you and the role they assign you in their minds, whether it’s for business or personal interactions.
Conclusion
Being mindful of how you are perceived and intentionally crafting your message can significantly impact your brand’s success. Don’t leave it to chance—ensure that your messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with the value you bring.
If this resonates with you or if you struggle with your messaging, drop a comment below, shoot me a DM, or email me at onbrand@oxandiron.co.
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