(Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Personal Branding)

You never know where inspiration comes from. This is particularly true if you are a writer. This time, my inspiration came from my child’s backpack. Actually it was the recent issue of Scholastic News® that was in his backpack. The cover featured Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the issue was dedicated to remembering his dream.

As I read the article, it was clear that he was a model example of a tenet that I strongly believe in and utilize in my coaching practice: Personal Branding. What is Personal Branding? That is the concept of applying time-tested principles of marketing and brand identity to personal success and fulfillment in our own individual lives. This leads to the next question. What is brand identity? A brand identity is the immediate mental picture you get in your mind with the mention of a product, company or person. I say McDonalds. You think hamburgers, kids, and fast-food. I say Mercedes. You think luxury, class, and automobiles. I say Martin Luther King Jr. You think peace and equality. He was a master of Personal Branding.

The cover of the Scholastic News article demonstrated the success of his personal branding immediately. First there was the question, “What do you think Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for?” The two words that came to my mind immediately were peace and equality. When I opened the page to read the short bio on him, those two concepts were exactly what the author wrote about. There is no doubt or confusion to anyone who knows of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about what he stood for. He was very clear about his dream.

The second proof of his branding success was in the cover photo caption. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked hard to make America a better place for all people. Thirty-four years after his death, his words and his beliefs live on.” Thirty-four years later! The longevity of his message shows the power of the personal brand he created. How many of us can say we have a clear message that we communicate to the world that will be remembered 34 years or longer after our death?

So how did he create such a powerful brand identity to make his name synonymous with the fight for peace and equality? He was clear about what he stood for, and he lived it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, passionately, honestly and with conviction. This is the true key to success in creating a powerful brand. Know what you stand for. What concept or premise are you passionate about? I mean passionate to the point that you would commit your life to this concept. Do you have a vision for how you can affect the world with this belief? And if you know what this concept is and what the vision is, do others know this about you? Do you live what you believe? Do you walk the walk, and talk the talk for your vision?

Perhaps you think your mission and your vision are too personal to share with the world. I believe this drive was put within you for a purpose, and it is your responsibility to share it with the world. Where would we be if Martin Luther King Jr. thought his vision was too humble to be shared? What if he believed in his heart, and lived a life of peace and equality, but didn’t openly stand up for his beliefs? The world might be a very different place today. The more you live openly, honestly, and with conviction to the principles that drive your life, the more the world around you will put these beliefs where they can have maximum effect. It is the natural law of attraction and magnetism. You will find the job where you can have the most effect with these beliefs. You will find the personal and professional partners to grow these ideas, and you will find success in your dream.

My dream is to help as many people as possible find their passion in life and find their purpose. I want to shine a light on the God-given natural skills and talents each one of us possesses to accomplish our own dreams. We are all part of a giant puzzle that can only be completed when we each bring our piece to the table. Uncover your dream and make it real.

This is the first article in a series on the concepts of Personal Branding.

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