The Advantages of Building A Personal Brand As a TPM

There are several reasons why I strongly encourage the TPMs I mentor to develop their personal TPM brand, particularly in today’s highly competitive environment, where opportunities are often reserved for those who maintain visibility both within their organization and beyond. 

Here are a few specific reasons as to why building a personal brand can be helpful:

1. Stand Out From The Crowd

With all the layoffs and many people looking for new opportunities, it can be hard to get noticed. A strong personal brand helps you rise above your peers. It highlights what you bring regarding knowledge, expertise, and personality. If done correctly, having a strong personal brand will make you more memorable to your current and potential employers. 

First, understand what your core super powers are. What sets you apart form the rest? Then, focus on making people aware of your strengths. Write about them on LinkedIn or elsewhere. Talk about how you handle these situations and what tools or processes you built. Share your technical skills and how you solved complex technical problems. 

2. Build Trust and Credibility

By showcasing your knowledge and experience, you prove to your audience that you know your stuff, positioning yourself as a trusted authority in your space. You can do this by writing blog posts, LinkedIn articles, YouTube videos, Instagram posts, or ticktock. The medium or platform does not matter, you’re proving that you are an authority in your space. What matters is that you choose a platform and stick to it. Consistency and doing it with a cadence over a long period matters most. 

Related read: Mastering Writing for Technical Program Managers

3. Accelerate Professional Growth

I cannot tell you the number of potential employers who directly contact me because I have a brand. There have been several instances where my brand has brought opportunities that I would have otherwise not known about. It can provide job offers, lecturing opportunities, consulting opportunities and so much more. 

Building a professional brand, no matter how big or small, opens you up to growing your professional network. You will get opportunities to interact with more people and build deep and meaningful connections.

My brand has helped me open doors with top executives at organizations. It is incredible what having a brand can do for you. 

4. Unlock Personal Fulfillment

Creating a personal brand requires a lot of introspection to identify your values, passions, and key areas of strength. This alignment can help you better understand your niches. It’s an incredible journey of self-discovery that helps you take control of your story—and your career.

5. Increase Influence & Impact

A personal brand can help you influence your industry or community. Harness this edge to support causes you believe in or make a difference. You can inspire and impact others by sharing your program management strategies, tools, and other pieces of wisdom you would like to share. Sharing your aspirations and thoughts with your peers provides you with an opportunity to show off your mastery of the Technical Program Management domain. 

Helping others grow is a joy of its own. 

6. Future-Proof Your Career

The most significant benefit of a personal brand is job security forever. Strong brands enable one to rely less on any one employer. It creates more flexibility and versatility in your career. A powerful brand can grow with you as you pivot, explore new roles, and thrive across industries.

7. First Impressions Matter

A good personal brand helps in creating a good first impression. People always look you up whether you are starting a new program or at a new employer. And that first impression gives you an edge.