"Win at Work"

Weekly Newsletter by Yasar Ahmad

Few key free resources worth noting this week.

Rules of Work Podcast - Episode 1 (Youtube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts)
Interview Cheat Codes (Youtube)
The ChatGPT prompt that perfects your resume.
The 30% salary jump playbook (Full free guide)
The Ultimate Script book (My favourite but also because it has 558 scripts that help you with every situation)

Week 22 - Personal Brand - Craft Your Reputation at Work

Whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand at work. It’s essentially your professional reputation - what people think of when they hear your name. Are you known as the reliable planner? The creative problem-solver? Or the always-late excuse maker? Cultivating a strong personal brand can open doors, while a weak or negative one can quietly stall your career.

The problem: Some people assume that doing good work is enough to get ahead. They keep their heads down, avoid office chatter, and figure their results will speak for themselves. Unfortunately, if you’re invisible or inconsistent, you might get overlooked. In a busy workplace, colleagues and bosses form quick impressions: they notice patterns in how you behave, communicate, and deliver.

If you aren’t managing those impressions, they can be inaccurate or unflattering (“He’s not a team player,” “She’s sloppy with details,” etc.), even if you’re technically competent. On the flip side, others might be less skilled but have a great reputation because they actively shape it – they speak up, promote their wins, and build relationships. The reality is, performance is crucial, but perception matters too. Ignoring your personal brand is essentially leaving your career growth to chance.

Solution: Take charge of your narrative. Here’s how to build a positive personal brand in the workplace:

Deliver results (consistently): At the core of any good reputation is solid performance. Honor your commitments. Meet deadlines. Strive for quality. When people can count on you to get things done well, it becomes a defining part of your brand (“she always comes through”). Consistency is key - one great project isn’t a brand, but a track record of reliability is.
Show your expertise (and share it): Maybe you have strong data analysis skills or you’re great at resolving client issues. Cultivate that strength and let it shine. Volunteer for tasks in your wheelhouse so colleagues see you in your element. Equally important, share knowledge generously - help a teammate troubleshoot, present a lunch-and-learn on a topic you know well. Teaching others not only boosts your visibility, it positions you as a knowledgeable, go-to person in that domain.
Mind your attitude and interactions: Your brand isn’t just what you do - it’s how you do it. Do you stay calm under pressure or freak out? Are you collaborative or combative? People remember these behaviors. Small things count: showing appreciation, handling conflict professionally, being positive and solution-focused. Over time, being known as the person who stays cool and helpful during chaos is pure gold for your reputation (and rare!). Likewise, avoid being branded as the constant complainer or egotist; it undermines trust.
Increase your visibility (strategically): Make sure your hard work doesn’t fly under the radar. This doesn’t mean bragging endlessly; it means highlighting contributions appropriately. For example, update your manager in one-on-ones about recent achievements (“We closed that deal and I drafted a new client playbook”). In team meetings, share progress or ideas – don’t be the silent passenger. And take opportunities to connect with people beyond your immediate team (cross-functional projects, social events). Building a network inside the company enhances your exposure, so more colleagues know who you are and what you’re good at.

One more thing: authenticity. Crafting a personal brand doesn’t mean pretending to be someone you’re not – it’s about putting your best true self forward. Identify the strengths and values core to you and emphasize those. Maybe you value integrity, or creativity, or empathy – let that reflect in your actions consistently. Authenticity makes your brand sustainable (and likable).

“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” - Jeff Bezos

Take Aways:

Think of your personal brand as an asset you carry to every job. When you actively nurture it, you gain trust, influence, and opportunities. People start to recommend you for projects or roles because they “know” your character and capabilities. So work hard, yes – but also share your wins, live your values, and build relationships. Over time, your name will become synonymous with qualities you’re proud of. That’s when your brand starts working for you, opening doors even when you’re not in the room.

Thanks

Yasar