Building a strong personal brand and reputation is crucial for success in any career. Maha Abouelenein, a former Google executive and CEO of global communications firm Digital and Savvy, emphasizes the importance of investing in one’s personal brand. She believes that reputation is like a currency and encourages individuals to focus on building and maintaining a positive reputation throughout their career. According to Abouelenein, there are three key steps to building a professional reputation: doing good work, adding value, and fostering strong relationships.
Abouelenein’s career journey began as a promotions planner at General Mills before moving to Egypt and eventually Dubai, where she held managing director and C-suite roles at companies like Weber Shandwick and Google. As a woman executive in a male-dominated industry, she often had to work harder to establish credibility. In 2014, she launched Digital and Savvy, working with big-name brands and personalities such as Netflix, Uber, Halle Berry, and Gary Vaynerchuk. Abouelenein’s approach to establishing her reputation was to focus on delivering consistent, reliable, and results-driven work to showcase her capabilities.
Adding value in the workplace is another key aspect of building a strong reputation. Abouelenein emphasizes the importance of being consistent in behavior, sharing knowledge, backing up ideas with facts, and anticipating the needs of colleagues and managers. Going above and beyond the minimum requirements shows a commitment to the company’s success and helps in establishing a reputation as a valuable team member. By consistently delivering unique contributions and helping others, individuals can enhance their personal brand and reputation.
Fostering strong relationships is also critical in building a positive reputation. Abouelenein highlights the importance of developing trust and connections with others over the course of a career. Building strong relationships requires investing time and effort in making deposits in others’ trust banks by being genuine and attentive. Being transactional and only reaching out to others when you need something can damage relationships and hinder the development of a positive reputation. By showing genuine interest in others, practicing active listening, and following up with meaningful gestures, individuals can strengthen their network and enhance their personal brand.
Authenticity, consistency, and purpose are key elements in building a successful personal brand, according to Abouelenein. By staying true to oneself, maintaining consistency in actions and behaviors, and having a clear purpose, individuals can establish a strong reputation in their industry. Being intentional in interactions with others, showing interest in their backgrounds and insights, and demonstrating genuine care can help in building lasting relationships and a positive reputation. Ultimately, investing in one’s personal brand and reputation early on in a career can lead to long-term success and opportunities for growth in the professional world.
