How do other people describe you?
More to the point – how do they RAVE about you?
I spent the first half of my career writing ads for some of the world’s most loved brands. Defining any brand begins with understanding how it is different than its competition.
That process begins by describing the brand in just one word (usually an adjective). To explain what I mean, let’s take a look at the car industry.
Porsche is fast.
Volvo is safe.
Subaru is practical.
Any strong brand can be summarized by one adjective. Porsche, Volvo, and Subaru have each carved out their own fascinating niche. As a result, they stand out in a cluttered category.
The same is true for YOU.
To stand out, you must know how you add value.
Certain words describe who YOU are, at your best.
These words are usually adjectives, because they describe how you are most likely to perform exceptionally well.
What are YOUR “specialty adjectives?”
These words describe how you are most likely to over-deliver, and how you are best suited to stand out and rise above the crowd.
I want to help you get the credit for what you’re already doing right.
Here’s a cool opportunity to get you started:
I developed a tool to build your personal brand, called Your One-Hour Personal Brand™. (If you’re like me, your attention span won’t last much more than an hour!)
In less than 60 minutes, you’ll know exactly how to sell yourself, and your ideas. You’ll see exactly how you’re most likely to make a positive impression, over and over.
In my research, I’ve studied YOU – and the words that describe how you add value.
For instance, THE ACE leads with Alert + Power.
At their best, they are:
1. Decisive
2. Tireless
3. Forthright
This is how THE ACE is perceived in the best possible light.
This type of personality is best described with these 3 words. When they speak, they are decisive. Their working process is tireless. And when they’re asked questions, they are forthright.
In my research of over one million professionals, I found that the high performers have a “specialty.” They over-deliver in specific areas.
When you took the Fascinate® test, you learned which words describe YOUR specialty.
These words define how you are naturally suited to add value.
Rather than trying to constantly reinvent how you speak and write and work, you can simply use these words as a compass, pointing you in the right direction.
Here’s another example.
THE CONNOISSEUR leads with Prestige + Passion. They are:
1. Insightful
2. Distinguished
3. In-the-know
People will respond most positively to The Connoisseur when they speak and write in ways that are motivating and engaging to others.
What are the 3 adjectives that best describe YOU?
Your adjectives aren’t just words. They help you identify the areas of work in which you can make a big difference-- without becoming exhausted or overwhelmed. There’s a clear relationship between your Wellsprings, and your adjectives.
The goal here is to help you shape ALL your communication, so that you can feel relaxed and confident when you communicate.
Once you identify your most valuable traits, you can be rewarded for what you’re already doing right.
You already have extraordinary traits. They’re just waiting to be discovered and brought to the surface. Yet the painful truth is this:
If nobody knows about your top qualities, then you’ll never be rewarded for them.
How to apply your 3 key adjectives? Excellent question.
Start by thinking about the situations when you want to impress and influence your listeners.
(For me, that’s a keynote speech. Or a media interview. Or even the first day of school with my kid’s new teacher.) How about you?
When do you need to play your A game?
A few ideas to apply your 3 key adjectives:
1. Stand out with your marketing materials
2. Introduce yourself in a presentation
3. Give your resume or website a laser-sharp focus
4. Describe yourself in a job interview
Once you know how other people see you at your best, it becomes way easier to sell yourself and your ideas.
I want to make sure you know the words that describe YOU at your best, so you can impress and influence every time. (To find out more, check out One-Hour Personal Brand.)
I’ll be back soon to give you more ways to apply your specialty words.
Once you and I find these words, it’ll be far easier to let these words do the talking for you.
Instead of hesitating, and appearing insecure, you’ll have the “go to” words you need to immediately position yourself.
Now I’m off to meet my kids’ teachers before the first day of school. As a Catalyst, I’ll be energizing, social, and out-of-the-box.
Provocative
Innovative
Simplifier
Mastermind-
Methodical
Intense
Self-Reliant
I am discerning, perceptive and considerate. I am The Intrigue and these characteristics work pretty well as I am an author and must be able to tap into my audience understanding what they need and want from me. I'm also about to step into the next arena with public speaking and these characteristics will take me a long way in "feeling out the crowd".
As a Rockstar I am Bold. Artistic. Unorthodox. It's easy to buy into these as my adjectives. I am best when I am stepping out and helping others look at things in a different way. Help push limits and find a different way. Now to figure out how to get people to pay me for that.
Ambitious. Focused. Confident. - Yes to all three. Having to elevate my game due to unforeseen circumstances and stress which caused me to end up in the E.R. twice in the past two years. These words have been significant within my growth spurt. Before I didn't feel confident nor too ambitious much less focused. Social media made it difficult as everything was a shiny object however I had to get my health seriously back in track, eat whole foods for balance. That's where the focus comes in. I will be using these powerful words to stand out from the crowd.
Great blog!
Thank You! 🙂
Ambitious, focused and confident - absolutely. There was a time when that would have surprised me greatly but I have grown in all three areas and now embrace my three adjectives wholeheartedly. Right now, while I am swamped and facing new opportunities and challenges, I think remembering these three words will be very helpful.
I did your free test and I got the Provocateur (did NOT see that one coming) so my adjectives are; clever, adept, and contemporary. I write fiction (often in historical settings) and I blog about folklore and often historical topics so I'm surprised to see contemporary in there! But I love the fact Mystique means you 'communicate with substance' - I won't post a blog post unless a reader will learn something from it!
So according to the grid, with Innovation (#1) and Passion (#2) = The Catalyst = out of the box, social and energizing. I am seeing all that. I've never met a stranger and can think effortlessly re out-of-the-box solutions.
If I reverse the order and go with Passion / Innovation = The Rock Star, it delineates a creative blending of the two really well. ((see? thinking outside of the box 🙂 ))
Now to harness this for branding purposes, as in literally. Am at the crossroads of changing my shop name (cooljewelrydesign) and getting more focused about my pitch to potential buyers of jewelry that is intended for those who don't follow trends, they make their own. Need to be focused b/f getting a website, packaging, the whole 9 yards.
Thanks so much, this was very interesting and insightful.
Pam
Nurturing, Loyal, and Sincere.
Although we joke about how I'm not a nurturer when someone is sick.
I see this how up as how I like to equip people. How I like to make sure they understand. How I like to get people to think differently. I like to teach and introduce new things, thoughts and concepts to people.
I know I'm a loyalist. I always say "I'm a brand loyalist." so if I switch products something is UP!
My sincerity shows up with truth!
I say what I mean and mean what I say! I speak from my heart, so I'm very passionate when I do share it's coming from a very deep and caring place with everything within me.
I absolutely see all of these in my personal life and business. It's definitely where I feel a la natural! What I love is that it's not that you don't have the other qualities. It's just what's most prevalent that helps you see how you can best show up.
How does being tactful, self-sufficient, and mindful work for a wellness coach?
Great question Cassi! How does it for you? I'm sure you've developed a signature wellness practice for yourself (self sufficient ) that you are now sharing with your clients. Wellness is so integrated into mindfulness and being self aware and I'm sure in your coaching practice you're helping bring to mind for your clients where they can improve their wellness plan. Then we go to tactful - is your coaching specific and personal to each client where you provide them with the best route to getting to where they want to go. What do you think? For next steps thibk about your ideal client what problems or frustrations are they having that your 3 words solve for them. All the best Finka