Brand Building through Community Leadership

Leadership experience in volunteer, civic, and professional association settings is one way you can build and promote your personal brand.  If you are not ready to take a top leadership role for your favorite organization, you can start with a volunteer project or serve as the co-chair of a committee.  These valuable opportunities lead to greater leadership roles over time.  The following are a few suggestions for branding through community leadership.

Choose Your Roles Carefully

Invest your time in community service roles that are aligned with your passion and your talents. By working in roles suited based on your skills, you will be of greater value to the organization while continuing to develop your skills.  When you dedicate time to a cause that you love, you will be invigorated by the work and serve an inspiration to others.

Build Leadership Skills & Powerful Brand Attributes

Community leadership can help you develop and showcase important professional skills and character traits. A strong leader carries the following brand attributes:

• Dedication
• Strategic Focus
• Effective Problem-Solving
• Motivational & Inspirational
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Strong Process Improvement Capabilities

As you assume greater responsibility, you will enrich your personal brand by developing and advancing the above-listed proficiencies and characteristics.

Fill Skill Gaps

Some candidates get caught in a situation in which they need supervisory experience to qualify for a supervisory role.  You need to showcase transferable skills to build a strong case to secure the initial role. Consider volunteering for a charity organization, a civic organization, or professional society as a means of developing the practical experience to assume that next step.  Start small, prove yourself, and continue to grow.  Showcase your leadership accomplishments on your resume and LinkedIn profile.  Now that you have demonstrated your leadership experience, you are no longer an unproven entity. You have examples to back up your leadership claims. 

The Bottom Line

Volunteering your time in community organizations is a brilliant way to brand yourself as a leader. You will build new skills, refine existing skills, and validate managerial abilities.  Explore your options and dive into a community service role aligned with your unique talents and your interests.  You will contribute to a good cause while building your brand. Feeling good and doing good – doesn’t that sound great?