Your Personal Brand and Enterprise AI

A brand is a name that evokes a story.

Why it matters: Regardless of your job title, you have a brand in the eyes of those you work with.

• Think of names like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos.

• Each of these names conjures up images, opinions, and narratives.

• People may have a mix of positive and negative associations, but each name is often associated with an overwhelming story.

Between the lines: What brand do you convey to your employees, board, and investors?

• It's not only about character traits like being stoic or kind; it's also about the story they share with others when asked about you.

• Your everyday interactions shape this narrative, but they become particularly well-defined during times of upheaval, change, and uncertainty.

Yes, but: Steve Jobs and Bill Gates dropped out of college, Elon Musk was fired from PayPal, and Jeff Bezos left a lucrative job on Wall Street.

• However, these experiences do not define their brands.

• Regardless of feelings toward them, the dominant narratives associated with these figures go beyond the unvarnished facts of their lives.

Catch up quick: Leading a major enterprise AI initiative is one of the most visible and high-stakes challenges an executive can face.

• While the project's success is crucial, the way you lead this initiative will have a significant impact on your brand.

• Your employees, board members, and peers closely monitor every decision, communication, and interaction.

• This transition to AI is a pivotal moment—a critical test that can either harm or enhance your reputation.

Zoom in: Your job is not to be the technical expert; instead, it is to be the top storyteller.

• Focus on translating the complex "what" of AI into a compelling "why" for the organization.

• Steve Jobs didn't build products himself; he inspired others to create them.

• Jeff Bezos didn't code Amazon; he brought together a team to develop and iterate on it.

Zoom out: If you look back at the development of any tech company, like Amazon, Tesla, Microsoft, or Apple, you will see that they all faced significant hurdles.

• In their early days, any of these companies could have failed spectacularly.

• However, they persevered, convincing ordinary engineers, scientists, and businesspeople that success was not only possible but also achievable despite the challenges.

What's next: Make the human impact of the AI initiative your personal mission.

• Much like a technology company founder, you are now positioned to transform your organization into the next phase of business.

• If you act merely as a corporate manager, you risk failure. The difference lies in your personal brand—what it is now and what it can become.

Go deeper: Reach out to Todd Moses & Co to learn more, request training, or get a free book on this topic.