Story

“You are just another number”

There is a reason why this statement has become commonplace. And it is not what you might think. It is not because people are disposable. It is because they have been conditioned to believe that it is better to blend in than to stand out. 

This mantra has led to a culture of manufactured identities:

• Person A
• Credential B
• Industry C
• Organization D
• Years of Experience E

Under this premise, persons are interchangeable because there is little to differentiate them. Working for a corporation only compounds this dilemma. Because employees are unable to divulge proprietary information. So it can be challenging to showcase their work and where they add value outside of their organizations.

As a result, people who do great work can go unrecognized and be overshadowed.

That is precisely why personal branding is such an effective practice. Telling the story of who we are and how we got there is the ultimate differentiator. It does not guarantee that we will never lose employment. But in the event that we do, the transition from one juncture to the next will likely be much smoother.

When we allow ourselves to be defined by the organizations we serve, we do ourselves a disservice. Instead, lean into what makes you uniquely you.

What do you have to lose?

© 2022 Dominic Lee