Hey Reader -

Have you been flying under the radar, quietly mumbling with skepticism about AI? Well, it’s time to come out, come out from wherever you are, because you’re in good company.

In a recent poll, 46% of respondents reported viewing AI negatively. And to make that statistic even crazier, even the US Immigration and Enforcement team had a slightly better standing.

But here’s the thing: AI is a fact of working life. So, the answer isn’t as simple as ignoring it and trying to turn back the hands of time. Instead, try taking a surgical approach and use people skills to round out your AI acumen. We’ll discuss straightforward, everyday examples of how to do that in the May series, What AI Can’t Give You. By the end of the month, you’ll know how to use both competencies to your benefit.

First, let’s talk about the controversial topic of branding. I say “controversial” because, while the concept is good, branding can quickly go sideways in real life.

Historically, bossing up meant creating a brand built on self-declared, often aspirational skills and qualities. However, you’ve probably seen that model fall apart. What no one mentions is that your personal brand isn’t the story you tell. Instead, it’s the combination of your actions as well as stories others tell about you.

So, prompt your favorite AI model for a high-level overview, but also weigh your research against your surroundings. What you’re really searching for are X factor qualities that take someone from being an ok co-worker to memorable. Let me show you what I mean.

Your Brand is What Other People Say

You may know Ken Coleman as one of the on-air personalities for Dave Ramsey. For years, he's given advice to callers navigating tricky financial problems.

Ken recently announced that he's pursuing a new opportunity. However, his news wasn't what caught my ear. Instead, I was astonished by the sudden emotional reaction of Dave Ramsey's daughter and Ken's co-host, Rachel Cruze.

Rachel touched on their time together, which quickly turned into a ramble because she had so many positive things to say. For example, she praised Ken’s knack for finding chemistry with everyone. She mentioned how all levels of the staff sought him out—partially for his wise guidance but also because he was safe company. In fact, he’s informally known as “the glue."

3 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Brand

Wow—talk about feedback! Now personalize the case study. If someone asked a colleague for a two-minute elevator pitch about you, what would they say? Would their stories about your day-in, day-out actions line up with the brand you’re hoping to nurture?

If you’re ready to be someone’s superstar colleague, go back to basics. Here are three easy ways to strengthen your brand that AI rarely highlights. They work for every role, title, and industry:

1. Quick, Quality Deliverables. Prioritize deliverables where you’re passing the baton. When you deliver quality work quickly, you’re side-stepping avoidable last-minute stress and enabling others to work when it works best for them. Keep your habit of working late in the midnight hour or at the crack of dawn for individual contributions. Your co-workers with the opposite working style thank you!

2. Cut People Slack. Everyone has times when they’re juggling tough family dynamics or handling competing priorities with an unreasonable, unforgiving client. So, use your emotional intelligence to land essentials and postpone what’s optional (and EQ is different than workslop or cutting corners). Accept that good work can still happen by knowing when to quit.

3. Be a Positive Main Character. Flip the bit on the self-serving Main Character Syndrome and carry yourself in positive, intentional ways. Someone is forming opinions about your professionalism and social skills, even in the hallway or garage. If you’re lucky, it may be your next Hiring Manager or the person coordinating the unforgettable deal trip to Europe.

And your AI prompt to personalize is: Tell me three ways a personal brand can go wrong. Create a mistake prevention checklist for me.

AI can be a helpful tool, but it can’t help you choose the right action at the right time. So, start expanding your reputation by creating your personal X factor.

All the best,

Michelle Mains

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