I did a video for LinkedIn recently and someone approached me and asked, “Are you a CEO?”
Some people might feel flattered by that. An ego-boosting compliment.
I felt satisfied.
Why?
That interaction was no accident.
Everything I do is strategic.
This was no different. I buy 4-figure suits and dresses that highlight my figure, inspect and steam my clothes before I put them on, take excellent care of my health and get my hair done before my work in person with clients.
And I was doing this long before I ‘had the money’ or the title to justify it.
I don’t do it because I think I’m not good enough without it.
I do it because I know I’m good enough to do it.
I’m not going to wait until I’m at a certain level to care about myself, dress myself and present myself exactly the way I want. Like a CEO.
I love working with women in my Executive Coaching program, and it pains me to see them making the mistake of putting themselves off for a later time.
They talk about needing to have the salary, the prestige or the title before they start showing up and taking care of themselves like a CEO.
A true CEO doesn’t just lead a company. They lead themselves, their lives, and most importantly, they lead other people’s perceptions of them.
And the way they do that is by leading their own perception of themselves.
If you want to rise in your leadership career, you can’t wait until you get the promotion to show up like you just got the promotion.
The investments you make (or don’t make) in yourself show up in your personal brand.
Your personal brand impacts your career, how others perceive you, and it allows you to work less hard because you’re not having to overcompensate for the lack of care you’re putting into yourself.
You can work less hard and reinvest some of that energy into yourself. Working on your own perception of yourself will actually get you recognition and respect faster.
This isn’t superficial work.
It’s strategic, intentional and powerful.
It’s as much about who you are at the core as it is about how you look as a leader in the office.
By signing up for The Women’s International Leadership Academy,
you are investing in yourself and your brand. Learn how to be an even better leader with us and gain new perspectives that can help you not only at work but in your personal life as well.
I can’t wait to see you there.
With love,
Mari Carmen
