What’s in a name?
Apple, Google, Hershey, Tesla, Frisbee …. Brand names can be simple, commonly used household words (Steve Jobs liked apples), the misspelling of a mathematical term (Google), a namesake (Hershey or Tesla), or a knock off of another name (Frisbee was originally named by college students tossing around a Frisbie Pie Co. pie tin for fun). They can be real words, made up words, or even start out as a brand name and end up becoming a ubiquitous term for a common item (chapstick, duck tape, band-aids), regardless of the actual brand on the label. By now, we are also keenly aware that a strong personal brand helps us present a clearer image to our leadership, focus our strengths, attract the right connections, help us land the next big promotion, or engage an audience on stage, podcast, or blog.
Brand has been front of mind for me lately, given my transition from front line revenue leader to launching my executive coaching practice. I took weeks considering different names and the emotions they might stir, explored available domain names, and considered how words have different meanings, depending on our background and cultural context.
In the end, PSYCHĒ6 just spoke to me. I can’t fully explain it, just like I can’t fully explain that funny feeling you get to turn right instead of left and end up avoiding a big traffic jam; the gut instinct to check your teeth before going into that important meeting to find spinach from lunch lodged in between your front teeth; or the oft reported prickly feeling on the back of one’s neck that helps us avoid danger. I followed my instinct …. and here we are. Psyche is the ancient Greek goddess of soul who achieved immortality only after accomplishing a series of seemingly impossible tasks and I had already penned the six guiding principles I wanted to govern my practice. So, I named PSYCHĒ6 with Psyche in mind, knowing that many leaders I meet are lacking a sense of connectedness and fulfillment in their leadership roles. One of my goals is to help clients define, refine, and nurture their authentic leadership, while growing their self-awareness, impact, and ability to connect deeply with their peers, team members, and fellow leadership. I certainly can’t promise immortality at PSYCHĒ6, but I can assure you that by enduring challenges and getting outside our comfort zone, each of us has an opportunity for inspired growth, increased self-awareness, and achievement of our most fantastic goals!
As I launch PSYCHĒ6, I invite you to consider your personal brand. Not the articles covering the importance of personal brand, but your personal brand and the authenticity with which you show up as a leader. Are they aligned? How do your peers see you? Your leaders, investors, or board members? Your team members? Do people follow you out of fear? Or do they respect you and want to learn and grow along with you in their own leadership journey? Do they want to follow you, but aren’t clear about expectations? These types of disconnects or blind spots often hold leaders back from continued success and keeps them from feeling connected and fulfilled in the leadership roles they fill.
If these questions give you pause and you would like to dig deeper into your strengths, challenges, and opportunities to grow as a leader in your organization, I’d love to explore more with you and invite you to schedule time to chat.
