This week’s focus point…What’s Your Brand?
The pope made his first visit to the United States last week to much fanfare and celebration. As a Catholic, I was very interested in the pontiff’s trip and his message. From the White House, to Congress, to the United Nations, and to a mass at Madison Square Garden, Pope Francis’s visit took on a rock star aura.
Trolling through Facebook during his visit, I saw a shared post where the author wrote above a picture of Pope Francis, “I’m an atheist, but I like this guy!” Now why would that be? How does a 70-something head of the global Catholic Church influence someone that refuses to believe in God to “like” him? The answer should be important to you and your career and business.
Influence is achieved when someone has the skill to communicate a message clearly, concisely, and without fear of rejection. It’s achieved when one offers a contrarian viewpoint without denigrating others. It’s achieved when one is bold and refuses to conform for the sake of what society thinks. It’s shaped Pope Francis’s “brand.” And the brand becomes the vision and mission.
Your career – your business – can learn a lesson from this pope. What can you do to more effectively influence others? Are you willing to be bold and take risks; willing to be contrarian in an effort to improve the condition of others; and can you make decisions quickly without allowing fear and trepidation to hold you back? Are you willing to be different? What’s your “brand?”
If Pope Francis can get an atheist to like him, can’t you stretch yourself to become more influential by stepping outside your comfort zone to share your branding message with your world?
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This week’s quote –
“You may delay, but time will not.”
~ Benjamin Franklin