Your Personal Brand Is Working Capital

Titles change. 
Companies go out of business. 
Industries evolve.

But your personal brand? 
That’s the one thing you take with you into every chapter of your career.
Think of it as your working capital.

Seth Godin says it’s “the story people tell themselves about you.” 
Gary Vaynerchuk calls it “your reputation at scale.” 
I say, “Your personal brand is reputational equity. It’s how people experience you, remember you, and talk about you when you’re not in the room.” And, in the 4th Quarter, it matters more than ever.
Because here’s the reality: when you’re no longer chasing titles, your brand is what keeps doors open. It’s what makes people think of you for a consulting role, a board seat, or a partnership opportunity. 

It’s the reason someone calls you instead of the person with the shinier résumé.

Let’s be clear. A personal brand isn’t about creating a false persona. 
The strongest brands come from authenticity. 
From telling stories rooted in your experience. 
From sharing the lessons you’ve lived, not the ones you Googled or AI made up.

So how do you build it?

• Share your perspective on LinkedIn or in your industry.

• Tell stories that connect your past experience to today’s challenges.

• Be generous with your network. That means making introductions, mentoring, and giving without expecting a return.

• Keep showing up. Consistently. So people know what you stand for.

Your personal brand is already being built whether you work on it or not. 

My question is: Are you being intentional about it?

In the 4th Quarter, it’s not about being the loudest. It’s about being clear, authentic, and visible enough that people know exactly who you are and why you matter.

Titles will change, and Companies will move on.
But your personal brand is yours to protect, grow, and leverage.
And in the 4th Quarter, it might just be your most valuable working capital.

Let’s play to win.