An Inside Look at a Little Known Secret to Success
Apr 10 2008

Liz’s assistant approached me a few weeks ago about doing a guest post on my blog.  She sent me a copy of her book The MavHERick Mind, which I mentioned in my Psychology of Entrepreneurship post.  It’s a really quick and easy read and a great reminder of how/why our thoughts get in the way of our success!  One quote from a famous person that she included in her book that made me really smile was “If it is once again one against forty-eight, then I am very sorry for the forty-eight.” by Margaret Thatcher.

An Inside Look at a Little Known Secret to Success
By: Liz Pabon, The Branding Maven

During a recent interview, I was asked if women find it easier (or harder) to model the branding principles I teach.  While my answer may not come as a surprise to you, identifying where you fit within the continuum may.

Here’s how I replied…

The fascinating thing about it all is that women are known to wear their hearts on their sleeves, are more generous, and are generally an open book.  Yet, in business many women have been led to believe they must hide behind a role…the role of “business woman.”

What do I mean by hide?

Let me explain…

You see it’s quite a challenge to be your most authentic self when you turn who you are at your inner most core “on” or “off” depending on your circumstances.  Yet, that’s exactly what many women do. 

When we’re with friends we play the role of “trusted friend” always listening, offering sage advice or just being…silly.

When we’re with family, we play the role of “mother,” “wife,” “daughter,” “sister.” It’s then that we exhibit all the behaviors and place (sometimes unrealistic) expectations on ourselves associated with those roles.

Now you may be thinking to yourself, I’m 100% authentic 100% of the time.

It’s funny how we are sometimes asleep to the subtle shifts in our behavior brought on by the situation we’re in.

Here’s what I observed in the interview I mentioned earlier…

During my interview we had a short break.  And on this break the host and I gabbed about shoes, lipstick and where we planned to vacation this summer.  As soon as we got the cue that we were back on the air, her voice tone and demeanor did an about face and she was now playing the role of “show host.” 

Was she being phony in her role as show host?  No.  But she turned off the delightful, engaging part of her and replaced it with a more formal, conservative persona.  Had her listeners been introduced to the woman I connected with during the break, her listening audience numbers would grow like wild fire!

What’s the result of all this mask wearing and role swapping?

Living with a tiresome sense of having to compartmentalize yourself instead of enjoying life in a wonderful stream of simply being.   Where the personal and the professional flow naturally and effortlessly as one.

It’s a rule of good branding to remain consistent.  Showing your market two faces can lead to disaster.  Showing your market what you think they want to see can also prove ineffective.

Business today has gotten very personal.  What this means is giving (and showing) your audience more of who you are and what you’ve got. 

That’s a little known secret to success.

©Copyright 2008 Liz Pabon.  All rights reserved.

About the author:  Liz Pabon (aka: The Branding Maven) is a champion of women, shoe lover, award-winning author, and brand strategist.  To learn more about Liz and her recent book, The MavHERick^TM Mind, visit her at http://www.lizpabon.com/.

Author: Aruni | Filed under: entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, success, success story | Tags: Liz Pabon, secrets to success, success, success story, The Branding Maven | Comments Off on An Inside Look at a Little Known Secret to Success

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