You are a brand. Accept it. Whether we like it or not, we all leave distinct impressions on people the second we meet them as well as over the years we’ve known them. That means that you have a brand. We all do. And it follows you around. In a world where we change industries, careers, and geographies more frequently than ever before, jobs and titles are temporary; the only thing that is permanent is your reputation - your brand. The question is: have you tried to intentionally shape it, or has it been a haphazard by-product of your actions today and over the years? Think of the world’s great companies: do they leave their brand image up to chance? In this episode, we look at what we can learn from some of the great ones out there and see how we can apply those principles to "Brand You." In the process, we try to give you actionable tips, tricks, and techniques to be more intentional about the impressions you're leaving behind. Want to know what your brand is? Easy. Just as 5 friends what are the 5 words that people immediately think of when they hear your name? That’s your brand. In a hyper-competitive world which increasingly pits us against outsourcing abroad, algorithms and automation, authentic personal relationships will become even more valuable in the future. In a hyper-connected world where social networks are ubiquitous while “followers” and “likes” are overvalued, you need to throw out the conventional wisdom about connections and focus on connection. In short, you need to think completely differently about this challenge. Tune in to this show to learn how to start thinking smartly about your personal brand.