Reinventing Yourself

Leadership is often about reinventing ourselves. As good leaders we should regularly review our ever-changing environment, evaluate our personal and professional goals, and determine how we can become even better leaders.

This month has been an exciting time as we’ve watched America make history with the inauguration of Barack Obama, America’s first African-American president. President Obama’s installation has also created interesting news for those replacing leadership positions in the U.S. Senate. In addition to all of the controversy surrounding Obama’s senate replacement, there’s also been a spotlight on who would fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s senate seat.

Until Caroline Kennedy’s recent decision to drop out of the senate race, she was considered a viable candidate by all news accounts. Of course Kennedy has a strong family legacy with global name recognition, but she has much less in the way of a political track record or the requisite charismatic persona. Perhaps, as good leaders often do, she decided to take stock and spend some time reinventing her personal brand for a more successful launch into the political arena.

Kennedy’s challenge is not unlike what many of us are faced with in the current economic climate. Some have lost jobs or are applying for new ones where, in many cases, they may fall short of all the qualifications. Sometimes it’s not about experience… it’s about how you can translate what you have done in a previous role to a new position. At the end of the day sometimes it’s just about being able to sell your own personal brand.

I’d like to suggest five considerations to making a career transition when your experience might not be a match for the qualifications:

• Combine substance and style
• Leverage strategic relationships
• Bring enthusiasm and fresh perspectives
• Transfer success from one area to another
• Take risks prudently

Kathleen Matthews, EVP of Global Communications and Public Affairs for Marriott International, engaged most of these considerations when she made a successful career transition in 2006.

After 30 years in Washington, D.C., TV news, Matthews took the company’s top public relations position. She was attracted to the hospitality company’s service mission, drawing similarities to the media’s mission to inform and serve the public. “You accumulate all these skills. All you need to do is convince the boss that you have something that will contribute to the bottom line and that your success will guarantee the company’s success,” says Matthews.

Matthews demonstrated that producing a nightly newscast is just as much a team effort as running a hotel or a global hospitality brand. Viewing the post as an opportunity for reinvention, Matthews positioned herself as a storyteller who could tell Marriott’s story to the media she used to represent.

Matthews believes in getting involved in causes that help you network outside of your immediate circle. That’s how she came to connect with Marriott. Several years ago she was asked to emcee one of their events and was invited back year after year. In the process, she met Bill Marriott. “Who would have thought that emceeing that event would have turned out to be a job offer to work for this fabulous global hospitality company?”

So, if you find yourself looking at a new opportunity and you aren’t the most experienced candidate, consider your qualifications more broadly. Translate your expertise and proven results into success in the new position. And leverage your strategic relationships. You too can "reinvent" yourself … if you choose to do so!

To further your own brand, check out SHAMBAUGH’s Five Coaching Offerings >>> click here

Don’t miss SHAMBAUGH’s Upcoming Webinar – Asking For What You Want on January 29th >>> click here

To read Becky’s previous blogs >>> click here

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