True leaders command following. Leaders are followed only if they are known for something, rather one thing or few things. It is all about right communication and action. All leaders must consciously make people aware of what they are best at so that they are famous for it. Otherwise they would be associated with those attributes which do not define them accurately.

Developing a personal brand is an art as everybody’s brand is different and unique. It is also a science because it can be created by a systematic process. The following are the take away from this post:

*  Leaders need personal brands to be effective.

*  The personal brands must portray what the leader is known for. It is imperative for leaders to communicate what they would liked to be known for.

* Brand is not built overnight. With Focus, Motivation and Hardwork, it is possible to build a good brand.

A recent launch of an e-book on “Personal Branding for Technology Professionals” by my friend and mentor Rajesh Setty precisely talks about this. You would find the ideas of the book universal as they are applicable to any professional who wants to be an effective leader having a personal brand. This book is very resourceful if you want to start your journey as a leader or to be more effective as a leader if you are already one…

When I was small I had seen a gigantic elephant being tied with a rope. I was always surprised as to why the mighty beast would never try breaking that small rope. Then I learnt that the mahouts have a wonderful way of doing this.

When the elephants are young, they are bound by rope or chains by the mahout to make sure the baby elephant stays where he decides it should be. The baby elephant tries, with all its might, to break free from the bonds but to no avail because it is small and not that strong enough. The baby elephant tries and fails many times, it will never try again for the rest of its life. That is why rope or chains that they could easily break can bind full-grown, adult elephants. An adult elephant is powerful enough to knock over a building without much trouble but it doesn’t attempt to break the bonds that it failed to break as a baby elephant. The elephant has been conditioned to the mental prison given by the caretaker.

Relating this to our lives the same phenomenon happens to us humans too. We become conditioned to believe that we can only go as far as our chains will extend. We must not become paralyzed and enchained by the set patterns that have been given to us by the world.

If you want to be a Leader, you should know how to make your people break these mental chains in achieving what they want to in their lives. Leaders inspire their people to “Break and move beyond the length of the chains”. The self-forged chains.
We have in ourselves an amazing potential to accomplish greatness in anything we desire. Let’s not chain ourselves with our pre-conceived notions and beliefs.

Go ahead and make a great start without any chains holding you back.

You know that a good start is half done. But how do you get a good start? Any start requires a push or support. In life Teacher or A Coach or A Mentor could help you get a good start.

Let me explain this with a story:
Once upon a time in Mainland China, there was a boy who wanted to learn martial arts. And he wanted to take part in a tournament that was organized every year. He could see all his friends and other boys learning under experts. But none would agree to teach him because he was handicapped and didn’t have his right hand. Depressed, the boy went to a great Master with a last hope and requested him to teach him martial arts. The Master tested the boy for several days and seeing the sincerity and burning desire in the boy to learn, agreed to his request. The training started and the boy was learning fast under the guidance of the Master. But as days passed the boy realized that the Master has been teaching him only a single and particular technique. Whereas all other boys learnt several kinds of steps and techniques for defending and combating. Disappointed he went to the Master and voiced his feelings. But the Master ignored and said practice the same.

Finally the much awaited day for the tournament arrived. Though the boy didn’t have much hope and expectation, still he participated. To his utmost surprise he won the first fight! And the second and then the third!! And finally he won the tournament!!! Not only everyone, even he was surprised. He couldn’t believe how this happened. He went to his Master and expressing his gratitude asked “how could I win this tournament by knowing just one technique?”
The Master smiled and said “In this technique an opponent can defeat you only by catching your right hand, which you don’t have!!”

When I heard this story I realized that –

• We all need to be convinced and have a burning desire to do what we want in our lives. For the teacher would arrive when the student is ready.
• We all need Masters or Coach to teach and help us to achieve what we want.
• Leaders or Masters can detect and turn the weaknesses or deficiencies of their people into strengths and opportunities.

Now, go get a teacher/coach/mentor if you want a good start…