Crafting Your Authentic Personal Brand: Embrace Your Inner Athena

By Laura Pearman.

In a world where personal branding is pivotal to professional success, authenticity stands true as the cornerstone of a powerful and influential presence. As women leaders striving to make our mark, we can draw inspiration from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, who unwaveringly embodied her true self. Athena's wisdom teaches us the importance of staying authentic to our values and strengths to stand out professionally.

Athena's Authenticity: It's A Timeless Model

Athena consistently represented her true nature without compromise. As a deity who was both a warrior and a patroness of wisdom and the arts, she defied traditional gender roles and societal expectations. Her authenticity was her strength, allowing her to command respect and authority among gods and mortals alike.

For us, this looks like embracing our unique qualities and experiences. We, too, can establish an authentic personal brand. Like Athena, who never altered herself to fit others' expectations, we should remain true to who we are. Working this principle into a successful Personal Brand is about working out which pieces of our authentic selves speak to our target customers best. 

How do we leverage our individuality as a powerful asset to accelerate our professional journeys?

Here's how!

Understanding Your Core Elements

{Image – The beginning of Athena's Personal Brand Moodboard sent on Canva}

Just as Athena was symbolised by the owl (wisdom), the olive tree (peace and prosperity), and the shield (protection and strategy), identifying the symbols and values that represent you is essential. These core elements form the foundation of your authentic personal brand (note: NOT the entirety of it).

• Reflect on Your Values: What principles guide all of your decisions? Is it integrity, innovation, empathy, or perhaps more about your resilience?
• Identify Your Strengths: What skills and talents set you apart? Consider both your hard skills and soft skills.
• Recognise Your Passions: What drives you? Your passions fuel your motivation and can inspire others. Where does your passion intersect with your profession?

By clearly understanding these aspects, you can begin to craft a personal brand that genuinely reflects who you are, making it more relatable and trustworthy to others.

Aligning Personal Values with Your Professional Goals

Athena's actions always mirrored her values—she championed heroes like Odysseus because they embodied intelligence and courage, traits she valued highly. Similarly, aligning your personal values with your professional goals ensures consistency and integrity in your brand.

• Set Authentic Goals: Ensure your professional aspirations resonate with your core values. This alignment deeply affects your sense of fulfilment and motivates you to achieve your professional objectives.
• Make Value-Based Decisions: Let your values guide your choices from here on in, from the projects you take on to the organisations and people you associate with.
• Communicate Your Values: Clearly articulate your values in your professional narrative. It could be time to review your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or in person during networking events.

This alignment reinforces your authenticity and will begin to attract opportunities and connections that are in true harmony with you.

Practical Steps to Showcase Authenticity

Embodying authenticity in your personal brand involves deliberate and strategic actions. Here are some practical steps to help you express your true self across professional platforms, much like Athena's consistent portrayal in myths.

1. Develop a Consistent Personal Narrative:

•  Craft a compelling story highlighting your journey, challenges, and lessons learned.
•  Use this narrative across your bios and during interviews or speaking engagements.

2. Optimise Your Online Presence:

•  Ensure your social media profiles reflect your authentic self. Share content that aligns with your values and showcases your expertise.
•  Engage with communities and discussions that resonate with your professional interests. It could be time to leave groups that no longer serve you.

3. Authentic Networking:

•  Build relationships based on genuine interest and mutual respect.
•  Attend new events and join groups that align with your passions and values.

4. Showcase Your Unique Strengths:

•  Volunteer for projects that utilise your unique skills.
•  Share your insights through blogs, articles, or speaking opportunities to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.

5. Seek Feedback and Reflect:

•  Regularly solicit feedback from trusted peers to ensure your brand is perceived as intended. The Female CEO space is a wonderful place to start.
•  Reflect on your growth and remain open to evolving while staying true to your core values.

By implementing these strategies, you will reinforce your authentic personal brand. That will make you more memorable and influential in your professional sphere.

Standing Out Professionally

In a competitive landscape, authenticity is what differentiates you. Embracing your inner Athena means confidently presenting your true self, which naturally attracts the right opportunities and aligns you with like-minded professionals.

Athena's wisdom teaches us that authenticity is not just about being true to oneself but also about strategic self-presentation. It's about knowing your strengths, articulating your values, and consistently demonstrating them in your professional life.

So, there you have it. Crafting an authentic personal brand is an ongoing journey of self-discovery and strategic expression. By embracing the wisdom of Athena, we can confidently leverage our unique strengths and values to stand out professionally. Remember, your authenticity is your most powerful asset—it's what makes you uniquely you and what will propel you forward in your leadership journey.

Laura Pearman - Founder at LauraPearman.com, Personal Branding Consultant, and Host of MwahTV Personal Branding / Confidence / Feminism

Laura Pearman is a dedicated Personal Branding Consultant who specialises in helping women craft and develop their personal brands to achieve recognition and success in their respective fields. Drawing on her "Creative Swiss Army Knife" expertise, Laura empowers female entrepreneurs to harness their unique strengths and creativity, guiding them to build standout brands that leave a lasting impression in the marketplace.

With degrees in Marketing and Photography, combined with over a decade of experience running her creative business and serving hundreds of clients, Laura offers trusted insights and recommendations.

In addition to her consultancy work, Laura writes a thought-provoking column for us here that stimulates important conversation around "The Athena Complex." This concept explores the idea that while we all aspire to be goddesses in our zones of genius, the journey to achieving this is often far more complex than it seems. Laura's article delves into these challenges, encouraging women to embrace their power and navigate the intricacies of personal branding with confidence.