As entrepreneurs, as salespeople, and as Realtors, our brand is who and what we are to the public. We maybe didn't start out to consciously create it, but we have one nonetheless.
The importance of our brand was driven home with the Michael Phelps incident. I don't know what he did or didn't do - I wasn't there. I don't know why he did what it looks like he was photographed doing. What I do know is that his brand is terribly, possibly irrevocably, damaged.
Whether he swims again and racks up more records is not the point. What matters is that a whole country found someone they could believe in and cheer for last summer. Little kids to grandparents. He seems to have forgotten that with acclaim goes honor and responsibility.
It's that way with all of us. We take the time to blog, network, advertise and have website to promote our brand. Why would we want to do anything (even when we think no one is watching) to damage it?
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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, sales tips, insights, or strategies, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my other blog homesalesinsights.com. © Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Excellent post - I am amazed at the stupid things people do or worse post on Facebook. I mean do I really want to do business with someone who looks like their life is out of control based on their Facebook wall. Rightfully or wronguflly, I do judge people by the company that they keep. I don't know about you - but I do take a look at LinkedIn and Facebook when I am making my hiring decisions. It may not get you the job, but it may be the deciding factor between two equally qualified candidates.
On a separate note, you hit it right on the head. With fame and fortune come certain resposibilities and obligations. It is true of our athletes - it is also true of our political and business leaders. I mean "oops, I don't understand withholding" doesn't carry alot of weight with me.
First Steve, Let me say that I like the guy and was and still will be cheering him on. But the fact is when someone, rock star, super star, million dollar athlete, tax cheating politician etc. makes a million or two why or do they care. In their own circle they are still going to be accepted, mostly because the circle knows them and could care less. But hey they don't need the cheering anymore they got theirs. Point in case is OJ, I still can't believe the greatest down fall of all time.
Great post and commentary! What an incredibly powerful example.........and testiment to how important it is to live your life 'consciously'........Warning.and Caution..........."everything you say or do may incriminate you.."............or bless you.........and yet.....who is it that feels they have the right to 'cast the first stone'? hmmm I wonder?
Ryan,
Thank you for your excellent comments. Agree with what you have to say. :)
Steve
Charles,
If (and I think that's a very big "if") he ever swims again for the US, I'll root for him to win because he represents our country. I do think he betrayed our trust - as so many well known athletes do. :)
Steve
Liz,
Thanks. It not so much casting the first stone, as you describe it, but just being disappointed that someone in the public eye and so well respected for his accomplishments - even as you or I might be in our local markets - would forget to be on his best behavior. :)
Steve
I forget who said character is what we do when no one is watching but in this day and age everone is watching and seeing what we do. We all will make mistakes and I pray I will find mercy when my faults are found. But most of all I want to live an honorable life pleasing to God.
My opinion of Michael Phelps has changed dramatically that's for sure. What the heck was he thinking. What a jerk....dumb too! I feel sorry for his family.....
Portsmouth NH Real Estate
Kelly,
This whole episode is not about being better than someone or not making mistakes. It is being responsible, and clearly he wasn't. :)
Steve
Patricia,
His family has to be quite disappointed also. You're right. :)
Steve
Steve: I was mortified one night when my husband got into a verbal altercation with a nasty gentleman over a parking space. We had just left my car, with the real estate magnet on the side advertising me, and there he was buying into this guy's bad attitude, and trumping him. YIKES! I wanted to rip the magnets off my car.
Oh I know Steve........I wasn't referring to you - just people in general........because someone is 'gifted and disciplined and ambitious....and successful...' WE put them on a pedastle.........the kid is 23 years old.........and frankly I don't know too many 23 year old that have accomplished what he has.........because of that he owes us what??.........and so he had a photo taken and got caught doing something not too smart... So the Hero tumbles of the pedastle.......? He's still an amazing swimmer........and individual.........I don't think that changes.......This is just what I think............we in the bleachers always find it easier to critique someone elses errors in judgements......instead of striving to be those role models ourselves...........
I see what your saying but he's a young person. People especially young people make mistakes. Perhaps he hasnt yet realized just how much some may look up to him. Sure his brand is damanged but I wonder for how long.
Steve,
Good blog. Sometimes people make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes ruin the life that had been theirs.
Hi Steve
Our public image (brand) is critical to our success. Michael Phelps will paid a very heavy price for poor judgment and a lack of common sense, sad.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Chris,
Yes, it's times like these when we let our guard down that our brand is vulnerable to being harmed. :)
Steve
Liz,
I understand your argument, but the point is that while he is young, he has been extremely disciplined in his approach to his sport. It required such dedication and sacrifice. No one is taking that away. It's that our expectations have been dealt a blow. We expected exemplary public behavior and conduct as an accomplished sports hero and role model - and we saw less. :)
Steve
Justin,
College quarterbacks and running backs are younger than this. They compete for huge NFL contracts. They have a bad game or decide to have some off-the-field fun, and their stock goes way down - immediately. It just goes with the territory. I sorry, but I don't buy the "he's young" argument. :)
Steve
Steven,
Thank you. That's right whether we like it or not. Our actions have consequences. :)
Steve
Lou,
The sad part is that public figures often don't calculate their brand into their actions. :)
Steve
"We expected exemplary public behavior and conduct as an accomplished sports hero and role model - and we saw less. " Why? :-)
Liz,
Once a person places themselves upon the public stage to compete at the top level of their sport and for their country to cheer for - even a young gymnast - they no longer are regarded as a child by the public. Their accomplishments have vaulted them in adulthood and into the status of role model. Same with young rock stars or musical prodigies. No one forced them to do this it was and is a choice. :)
Steve
Hi Steve:
Great Post...Our branding is everything!
There will just be another controversy and it will be forgotten, just like with Bill Clinton...
Toula,
Maintaining and protecting our brand is so important. You're right. :)
Steve
It can take an entire positive body of work to build a good brand... and very little... perhaps a single incident to knock a major dent into it.
Chuck,
Precisely. Sometimes it only takes a little miscue, a lapse in judgment to really mess things up. :)
Steve