In today’s world, everything is a brand, from toothpaste and mattresses to countries and communities, even people. Whether you’re interviewing for your first job, pitching for a dream project, or trying to make a lasting impression, you’re essentially marketing yourself.
When I addressed the graduating class of the School of Branding and Advertising at SVKM’s NMIMS, I spoke about something I deeply believe in: the importance of building Brand You. Over the years, I have learned that strong personal brands command a premium. The golden rule of marketing applies here too: develop a ‘product’ people want to work with, in this case, yourself.
Here are ten principles that have guided me, and I believe they can guide you too.
- Ask the right questions
Solving complex problems starts with asking the right questions. You don’t need decades of experience, just simple, basic questions answered with data. For instance, in marketing: Who is your primary customer? What do they value most? How can we deliver on that reliably? What must we give up in return? To do this effectively, be fully present, keep distractions away, read extensively, and come prepared with facts and data. - EQ matters more than IQ
Emotional intelligence outweighs raw intelligence in personal and professional success. The ability to read people, understand their motivations, and work collaboratively is key. Develop your EQ by talking to people and, more importantly, listening. - Work hard, but work smart
Hard work alone isn’t enough. Combine effort with efficiency. Think on your feet, find faster ways to achieve results, and use AI for repetitive tasks strategically, not blindly. - Learning never stops
Education extends beyond college. Keep learning from books, people, and mistakes, both your own and others’. Specialisation matters today; focus on becoming an expert in one area rather than a generalist. Even after twenty years in my career, I returned to Harvard for a seven-week senior executive programme with days from six in the morning to eleven at night. - Your disadvantage can be your advantage
Knowing you have a disadvantage makes you work harder to overcome it. But remember, you win by playing to your strengths, not just by fixing weaknesses. - Let your opponent win, but make sure you win too
Life is full of negotiations. Every conversation is one. Aim for win-win outcomes. They last longer than one-sided victories. - Adapt, innovate, change
Never be complacent. In today’s competitive world, you are either going up or going down. There is no standing still. Change with the world, but never compromise your core values. - Stand for your principles and values
Choose your values, such as honesty, integrity, humility, frugality, and stick to them. A principle is not a principle unless it hurts. Leaders like Satya Nadella and Shantanu Narayen prove that humility and success can go hand in hand. - First impressions are lasting impressions
You only get one chance to make a great first impression. Be prepared, dress appropriately, and present yourself well. - Be authentic, be consistent, be confident, be you
In the Instagram age, authenticity stands out. Only you can be the best version of you. Own your experiences, both good and bad.
Think carefully about the mark you want to leave in any organisation you join. One book I often recommend is The Catalyst by the late Chandramouli Venkatesan. It is a brilliant guide to building careers, finding mentors, and choosing depth over constant job-hopping.
And remember, good advertising can kill a bad product faster. The same is true for people. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself, your strongest ‘product’, and the brands you touch will benefit too.
