“What’s the emotional experience you want people to have when they think of you?”
–Me, Coach Wes
In a series of discussions about branding, Strength Ambassadors reflected on their personal brands. We had already discussed the general concept of a brand, from companies to nonprofits, and how they evoke certain feelings or experiences. I explained that a brand consists of two key elements: the external symbol that comes to mind when people see the brand and the experience individuals have when interacting with a brand.
It was then their turn to reflect; they wrote in their journals and shared their thoughts. Each expressed how they want others to feel when they think of them. Zaire said he wants people to associate him with “peace, happiness, and strength,” while Taj said, “chill and happy.” Others mentioned words such as “athletic, faith, hope, and inspired.”
I asked them to consider how others might perceive them. They each wrote down two emotions that came to mind for each person in the room, which we shared out loud. What stuck out to me was the synchronicity in people’s feelings about others. When we got to Camille, we repeatedly heard ‘motherly’; with Taj, his comedy resonated; with Zaire, it was ‘calm.’ And while I hadn’t necessarily planned it this way, the message was clear: you are creating your brand whether you realize it or not.
While discussing our feelings about each other’s brands, one of the Strength Ambassadors arrived late. Some of the SAs people joked about lateness being part of her brand. This seemingly small encounter was a clarifying time for the young people to consider the impact of their actions. The young lady agreed she didn’t want lateness to be part of her brand. So, we discussed how they shape a brand every time they enter a space, whether intentional or not.
I reminded them that aligning their actions with their brands is essential. They must ensure consistency and be mindful of how their actions constantly shape their brands. While this activity took only 15-20 minutes, I thought about how it shaped MissionFit’s brand. Hopefully, this activity and others will shape our brand as one of reflection, awareness, and growth.
