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Welcome to Jon Michail’s Personal Branding Masterclass. Jon is the founder and CEO of image group international, an award-winning image consulting and personal branding pioneer established in 1989. This podcast will bring you old-school wisdom, inspiring ideas, strategies and hacks for the new tech world. Here you will learn everything about personal branding: the system, the techniques and the right mindset to have a successful personal brand, image and reputation.

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Hi, everybody, and welcome back to another episode of the show. In today's episode, we will continue our series called street smart wisdom for leaders. So in other words, what Harvard Business School does not teach you. Before we start, I invite you to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Twitter as John underlined Michael, on LinkedIn as John Michael and on Facebook as image Group International. Today, we'll be discussing four crucial topics that can help you become an influential and impactful leader. These are lessons I've learned throughout my career that have helped myself obviously, and other leaders also achieve remarkable success. So let's dive right in. First, always have a plan, even when you don't have one. And what I mean by that is, look, it's essential to set specific goals and have a plan of some description. Even if you have no intention of following the plan. The intention here is start off with the plan. Life doesn't always go though, as we all know, according to the plan. But this doesn't mean you shouldn't abandon all directions when faced with unexpected challenges or, or changes, okay, especially when you have a plan. And you think because things aren't going to plan, it was all a waste of time. Now, the reason you do the plan is at least you've started off by showing that you've had some discipline, some sort of focus to get you zoned in into what you want to achieve. Even if you do throw the plan. Outside the proverbial window. Successful leaders understand the value always have adaptability, and improvisation during the journey. And of course, the current times we're living in is a great demonstration of that. And you will just basically observe and study really successful leaders out there, you'll see how adaptable they are, and how they improvise during the journey. And this is essential, because well, let me explain it a bit further. I agree, sometimes, it's worth throwing the map away, and just exploring for the sake, you know, just for the hell of it. Exploration is good, however, you will need a starting point. And the map is generally or in this case, the plan a good start. Secondly, by going down the struct as well, what that means is you're going to need to sort of Express or certainly embrace some of your vulnerability in so what is vulnerability. So I want to use that as the second topic of try vulnerabilities. Of course, using your vulnerability is all about transparent, being courageous, being authentic. But it's been clear also when it's appropriate. And it's not also then done for media, or audience manipulation. But you see a lot, especially on television, crocodile tears are rarely, rarely accepted. Unless, of course, you're a professional actor, and everybody knows why you're doing it, you're playing a role. Therefore, it's absolutely important to display your authentic self, if appropriate. But of course, authentic self does not mean crocodile tears, of course, unless you're an actor. So imagine if more leaders did that, certainly trust would go up less suspicion. And of course, you'd feel that at least we're getting some sort of fair dinkum reality from the communication as opposed to spin and distraction. So vulnerability is often seen as a weakness historically, particularly in the corporate and political worlds, and especially for men. Having said that, I can tell you most of the most powerful men I've met have shown vulnerability. I'm not talking about egomaniacs here that I've got a big shell around their egos. You know, I'm talking about authentic Lee that have teams that create really amazing work in that business, per se. And of course, also have the persuasion skills with people follow them and believe in the Times die for them. 

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So as noted, showcasing your vulnerability when appropriate, can be a potent tool for building trust and authentic connection with others. So it takes courage to be vulnerable. It takes a definitely a no ego approach because if you're worried about your ego about how you look and how you going to be seen and accepted and saw while you're vulnerable, while then going back to your acting stage and that's not what would be recommended because it will be seen as inauthentic. It also you know what ability also communicates authenticity, as I've already noted, so is this for everybody, while not necessarily so it's up to the individual that feels, that's the way they want to live their lives in our learning corporates in the business, and of course, the Korea. So it's up to each one hours to make that decision. But I can tell you this, the more you suppress yourself, the more you are not self expressing, and what happens before long, right, there is a concept called self depression. And before you know it, there is a breaking point. So I just want you to be aware of that, and I'm gonna, you know, correlate with what I just said, was specifically how Kancil culture right now has scared people, you know, not to self express to the point where mental health and depression and all that other stuff that comes with that is out of control. And it's not just social media that's doing that. Okay. We're also talking about, you know, the whole bit of self expression, that's actually been discouraged right now. And I'd be saying to you right now, if you want your personal power back, revisit that and start to learn how to self Express. The next lesson I would like to share is this. To minimize your reputational risks, you've got to also take into account with what we've just said, Because reputation is really what you've got, it's really how the world perceives you. And without, of course, a positive reputation potentially, there's big risks out there. So how would you minimize your reputational risk? Well, you know what, it's really interesting, because what I would say to reputational risks is this, I think we should keep that for another day. Because minimizing your reputational risks is such a big conversation, I probably should run a series on that just on itself. But definitely remember this, your reputation, and being clear on managing your reputation, and definitely is an insurance policy that you need to think about. Because if you haven't thought about that, potentially, you know, reputational risk can come from outside of you as well, obviously, people can damage your reputation, especially behind your back, and you will not even know it only, you're only going to experience the results of that and could be done with track. And that could be very costly. And the last lesson for today is this. Listen to your gut, it's very effective when one is well balanced. And of course, your gut really works well. Because it's you know, it's part of you being grounded, and specifically being open to getting the messaging out there. Okay, especially if you're meeting people, people that you might not feel comfortable with, you know, is really wrong, especially when you're grounded. Having said that, of course, you've got to look at all sorts of other things as well. But in reference to your gut look, leaders that are often presented with numerous choices and decisions daily, I listening to the gut.

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So what that means is, you know, emotional intelligence comes into play there. And of course, the whole concept of just really been there from a listening point of view. And from a real, just being their point of view, will give you some real, real valuable feedback. So gathering information, analyzing data, seeking advice from others, they're all essential steps, right? But there's another real powerful tool that I say, and it's listening to your gut, okay. And what that means is yes, by the way, it's a scientific tool that sort of answers directly to you. And what I mean by that is, again, just reaffirmed the more grounded and balanced an individual is, the greater the power of the gut, and intuition. You know, my advice is to trust it. And if you then need a second opinion from some expert, especially for health related issues, then go and see a professional, okay, but first, start trusting yourself. And this is very, very important. The expert does not know how to run your life, only you do. And that includes also in Korea, regarding a Korea expert, or a business expert in reference to your business, okay? First, listen to yourself. Because if you can't do that, you're always going to be at the mercy of somebody else, including, for instance, a coach, and I don't suggest you do that. So, you know, part of what I would suggest is start getting very grounded regarding yourself. And then of course, that will actually build your self esteem, confidence, of course, yourself power. And then you have it another episode of STS, my wisdom for leaders. So in other words, what a Harvard Business School does not teach you. I trust that what I've shared with you has resonated with you and sparked some reflection. However, if you're seeking personalized guidance and support on your personal branding journey, I encourage you to reach out to me and our team. Simply send us an email, and that same we'll be more than happy to assist you. You'll find the email address listed in the description of this episode. Again, I thank you for listening, and I encourage you to have a magic week till next time Cheerio. 

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Jon Michail’s Personal Branding Masterclass Podcast is sponsored by Image Group International, a global team of practical, digitally savvy personal brand and image strategists based in Australia, committed to maximizing your impact, influence and authority in the business world. To learn more and apply for your personal coaching, seminars and group workshops, please visit imagegroup.com.au or call 1800 631 311.