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Licia Dewing

Career Strategist

I build compelling & triumphant career strategies for my clients and believe we can all create a career we #LOVE - #WORK is not meant to be a struggle.

My Career Strategy process will teach you how to think #MINDSET differently and take #ACTIONSTEPS to move you forward. Apply these simple strategies to #CREATE the desired results in your #CAREER.

Book a complimentary Career Strategy Connect.

If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at "How to Advance Your Career With Personal
Growth” for more mindset and action steps to power your career forward.

You Already Have a Personal Brand—Even If You Never Meant to Build One

Here’s the thing nobody tells you at the start of your career (and if they did, you probably weren’t listening): you already have a personal brand.

Even if you’ve never posted a single thing on LinkedIn.
Even if you don’t have a perfectly curated CV.
Even if you’ve spent your career quietly doing great work behind the scenes.

You have a brand.

It’s in the way people describe you when you leave the room.
It’s in the kind of opportunities that come your way—or don’t.
It’s in the quiet assumptions others make about what you’re “great at” or “not quite ready for.”

Whether intentional or not, your career has been leaving breadcrumbs.

Those breadcrumbs tell a story.

Your Brand Is Not a Logo—

Forget everything you think you know about “branding.” This isn’t about fonts or fancy taglines. This is about energy. Alignment. Reputation. And yes—how you make people feel.

Your personal brand is what sticks to the walls after a meeting with you.
It’s the pattern people recognize when they think of you—across emails, presentations, interviews, or casual catch-ups.

You might be “the fixer,” the one they call when things are messy.
You might be “the challenger,” asking questions no one else will.
You might be “the glue,” holding teams together without needing the spotlight.

You don’t need to create your brand. It’s already alive.

But you do need to take ownership of it.

Your Brand Exists in the Gaps

Most people look for their brand in their job title.
But the most powerful personal brands?
They live in the gaps between roles, across industries, and through your transitions.

Your brand is in the throughline:

That moment you moved from corporate to startup and found out you thrive in chaos.
The decision to take a career sabbatical and return with fire.
The consistent way you lead, influence, or innovate—even when everything around you changes.

If you’ve ever pivoted, reinvented, or evolved—you’ve been branding yourself without realizing it.

Why This Matters Now

We’re no longer in an era where your résumé alone will open doors.
In a world of noise and algorithms, your personal brand is the filter.
It’s how people remember you, refer you, and hire you.

Here’s what that means for your career strategy:

Clarity beats cleverness. Know what you stand for.
Consistency builds trust. Show up the same way across platforms and conversations.
Character is the currency. Your reputation will always travel faster than your CV.

And if that sounds like a lot—breathe. You’re not starting from zero.

You’re simply choosing to be intentional with what’s already true about you.

Timeline of the development of the concept of Personal Branding

1937 – “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

Hill introduces the idea that personal reputation and self-presentation are crucial for success. While not called “personal branding,” it plants the seed for self-driven influence.

1981 – Tom Peters: Early Clues

Before coining the term, business guru Tom Peters begins speaking about the “brand called you” in early interviews and business talks, focusing on individuality in the workplace.

1997 – “The Brand Called You” – Fast Company

This is the big bang moment. Tom Peters publishes the iconic article where he writes:

“You’re every bit as much a brand as Nike, Coke, or Pepsi.”

He repositions professionals as brands with distinct value and urges people to market themselves with purpose.

2001–2010 – Rise of Social Media

Platforms like LinkedIn (2003), Facebook (2004), YouTube (2005), and Twitter (2006) give individuals tools to publicly shape their identities. Personal branding becomes digital and more visible.

2010s – Influencers, Thought Leaders & Side Hustlers

The concept expands from executives to creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Blogging, podcasting, speaking, and curating a unique voice become part of personal branding strategy.

2020–Present – The Age of Authentic Branding

Post-pandemic, the focus shifts to authenticity, vulnerability, and alignment. People want to work with, hire, and follow real humans, not curated personas.

Personal branding is no longer optional—it’s the new résumé.

Make It Real

Here’s your invitation today:

Google yourself.

Ask three colleagues how they’d describe your “work signature.”

Audit your LinkedIn headline—does it sound like you or a robot?

You don’t need a brand overhaul. You need a brand wake-up call.

Because once you see it—you can shape it, steer it, and own it.

And that, my friend, is the beginning of career freedom.

Want help translating your already-there brand into something magnetic and opportunity-attracting?

Let’s chat. Book a Career Strategy Session and let’s make your invisible impact visible.

It’s never too late to 💥Get Started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Branding

1. What is personal branding, really?

Your personal brand is the story people tell about you when you're not in the room.

It's your reputation in action—shaped by your values, voice, visibility, and the way you show up consistently over time.

It’s not just what you do—it’s how people experience you.

2. Isn’t personal branding just for influencers or entrepreneurs?

Nope. Personal branding is for everyone—especially professionals who want to grow, pivot, lead, or be recognized for what they do best.

Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, switching industries, or re-entering the workforce, your brand helps you stand out in the sea of sameness.

3. I’ve never tried to build a brand—do I still have one?

Yes. You already have one—even if it’s by default instead of by design.

Your colleagues, clients, and connections already have an impression of your work style, strengths, and values.

The question is: are you intentionally shaping that narrative or letting others write it for you?

4. What are the key elements of a strong personal brand?

Think of your brand as a triangle of clarity:

Who You Are (identity, values, strengths)
What You Do (skills, results, work style)
What You Stand For (impact, purpose, leadership voice)

When these align across your actions, communication, and digital presence—you’re building a magnetic, trustworthy brand.

5. How do I start building (or refining) my personal brand?

Start with reflection:

What do people consistently thank you for?
What energizes you at work?
How do you want to be perceived?

Then, get visible:

Update your LinkedIn profile
Share content that reflects your expertise
Speak up in meetings, workshops, or industry groups

Small consistent actions = big brand shifts.

6. Isn’t it fake or self-promotional to brand yourself?

Not if it’s rooted in truth.

Personal branding isn’t about pretending to be something you’re not—it’s about owning who you are and amplifying your strengths with confidence and clarity.

If you don’t tell your story, someone else will tell it for you—and they may get it wrong.

7. What’s the link between personal branding and career strategy?

Personal branding is your career amplifier.

When you know your value and communicate it clearly, you attract aligned opportunities faster—whether that’s a job offer, speaking gig, promotion, or strategic connection.

It helps people find you, remember you, and trust you—before you even walk into the room.

8. Can my personal brand evolve over time?

Yes—and it should!

As you grow, shift, or pivot, your brand should reflect the next version of you.

Think of it like a living, breathing story that gets richer over time—just like your career.

Book a complimentary Career Strategy call.

Let’s discuss what you might need right now and which career strategy service is exemplary.

Access the Link here: Career Strategy Connect.

If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at "Relationship Mapping Your Career: A Strategic Approach to Growth" for more mindset and action steps to power your career forward.