FC Experts Blogs
January 17, 2008
Careers: Hillary Clinton and Personal Branding
It’s easy to be cynical about Hillary Clinton’s statement about finding her voice in the snowy streets of New Hampshire. For heaven’s sake, here’s a 60-year-old woman who has been in public life most of her life just discovering who she is – Geeze.
"Over the last week, I listened to you, and, in the process, I found my voice,” she said in her New Hampshire victory speech.
Yet, I think Hillary was reacting to the over-scripted reality of political life. She was saying that she finally could let a little of her personality show beneath her tightly-controlled public image. The public “ice lady” had melted a little. And, boy, it felt good.
Politicians normally are masters of personal branding. Their campaigns are slogan-ridden (tag lines in branding terms), and personality- and message-driven. Hillary’s problem has been that her softer side often got lost in her endless thrust to stay on message. It’s an important lesson for personal branding. No matter how professional we are and what we do, part of how people evaluate us is based on our personality. It’s often said that people hire people that they like – that their gut says will work out.
Regardless of how wise that is, the fact is that people make decisions, conscious or not, based on how they relate to us. It’s a simple fact of human nature. The important point is not to contort your personality into something you’re not. And you always want to maintain a professional image. But at the same time don’t be afraid to let people see some of your personality. It’s what makes you human and what got you where you are today. What do you think?
Posted by Wendy Marx at January 17, 2008 9:56 AM | Topic: careers |
7 Comments
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Hillary will be a great president. No doubt about that. Obama is a eloquent speaker but a great president needs more than that. I like him though but voting for someone as a president is a serious decision.
Go Hillary! Go America!
Hillary,
Keep as strong as Thacher
Go Go Hillary!!!
VOTE-HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT!!!!
Hi Wendy,
While it is a bit difficult to relate on what is happening during the preliminary election in the US (as I don't live in USS), I agree with your remarks.
I don't think it is wise to be someone else in the effort to maintain a professional image. Although it might be possible but I believe it is tiring and most of all it's a fake.
Hi Wendy,
I think that when people form relationships, they want to do it with a real person. Who wants to sit around and think if the person who you're talking to is simply saying all the right things, but thinking something else? I think the only way to create a good personal brand is by letting your true personality shine through.
People gravitate to authenticity. Look at Richard Branson. He's just real, and partners and consumers both respect that.
Wendy
Your flippant analysis of Sen. Clinton's remark about "finding (her) voice," must be addressed. You make it sound as if Hillary had "no" voice before her presidential bid. Hillary was a First Lady for 8 years, and a Senator from a great State before becoming a presidential candidate. What she has found, what she has "created," is that voice that resonates with her supporters, in a presidential candidacy. She had come to compete in the most difficult campaign in her life, for the highest office in the land. There is no single voice that I have in this world. My voice is a creative phenomenon, which I am constantly modeling and shaping in response to the differing demands placed on it. Hillary told us, that she had found the voice that would communicate her dreams, her goals, her feelings, her thoughts, as a president. This voice she shaped and created, was another sign of her distinction; of her uniqueness. Hillary had found her "own" voice, with which to communicate her presidential aspirations, in the sense that she had created a vehicle appropriate to the highest political office, and to the campaign she led to reach for it. It certainly wasn't her tone of voice, or vocabluary, that she was talking about. It was a gift from within, a part of her soul, that she had shaped and created for us, as unique as was her pursuit of the Oval Office. Win or lose, she has my continuing respect and admiration.
I agree...it's about personal authenticity. I would like to think the person I vote for is going to speak to me but as a political leadership coach know the dynamics and workings of government and politics and rarely is it all in their immediate power to change.
I would, however like to know the person representing me on the Hill or in any governing body is leading from a position of personal authenticity and integrity and will take a stance for the right reasons, not just to play the game.
VOTE - HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON - PRESIDENT!!!!
HILLARY is well educated and she can get the job done.
HILLARY is a very hard worker and she will work for change for America.
HILLARY will do great things for America - she is truly committed.
These are all true about her. I believe she will do a great job in the white House. I know she is for the people. I don't worry about Bill Clinton's personel problems w/ the sex thing when he was in Office as President he was a great President. Together they will make a great team for our country. I believe there will be a great change for the better for the people in our country if we all can do the right thing and all vote for her to be our President of the United States of America.
Teresa Vanacore
Springfield, Vermont