Who Are You Without Your Logo?
This happened in Singapore. Few minutes after my wife and daughter left home, I received a distress call. It was from my wife. I could sense from her voice — something was not right. Fearing for the worst, I asked: “What happened?”
She said, “Someone took the car…..” Then she completed the sentence. “Someone took the car’s BMW logo” This started a chain of events that ended in a philosophical conclusion, which I believe, would benefit you immensely, just the way it did for many.
Here is how the event unfolded…
Firstly, the security guards in our apartment complex washed their hands off with “We can’t help you!”.
“Why? Didn’t this happen under your watch?” They answered by enthusiastically pointing to the sign, posted on the wall. It read…
“We are not responsible for any theft in the Car Park. Park at your own risk.” — Signed By Management
Their indifference infuriated us for a while. But, I also secretly admired their ready-made smart-ass corporate-policy response. Put up a corporate-policy on the wall that sets you free from obligations.
Last time, we had seen the loss of my favorite bicycle in the same car park that led us to file a police complaint. The police officer had then advised me off-record. “Keep important things inside the home. If you keep it outside, someone will steal it.” Expecting such a response, (and with no place to keep the car inside our home AND not knowing how to fit it inside the elevator) we didn’t report this “Logo-Stealing” incident. We decided to forget and forgive. After all, it was only a logo. But….
… the incident didn’t end there!
We didn’t replace the logo, because we didn’t really need it to drive the car. Anyway, the new logo can be stolen again! Then, came the moment of revelation.
Three weeks later I met a friend who said: “Oh, Did you change your car?”
I said “No. Why do you ask?”
He said, “It looks different.”
The car was exactly the same, the only thing different was the logo! That begs the question.
How important is your logo?
I was instantly reminded of leaders who were in respected positions in famous organizations, who were well-paid, well-respected — only to lose their jobs in corporate restructuring. Many of them can’t take this rapid change, they lose the cover of their employers, they lose their perks, they lose their confidence. The worst is that some lose their identity. Here is the thing to remember.
You Are Not Your Job Title
You need to be ready Before Your Company Stops Loving You. If you haven’t already done so, you need to quickly find an identity for yourself that doesn’t lean on a title given by someone else.
What is given by someone else can be taken away without your permission. The title you give yourself sticks!
If you have not given a thought about this before — it is time to think about your identity!
Who are you without your current title? How appealing are you without your title?
I have noticed that executives start to see themselves in a different light, when we get them to do a guided activity that helps them to define their Personal Identity and build their Personal Brand without leveraging their employer’s brand (We do this activity only during our public programs like Executive Transformation Program and Professional Speaking Program or 1-on-1 coaching). While being loyal to your employer is important, taking care of your needs is paramount. (No else is in charge of your future, but you!)
It is interesting how I became philosophical about petty theft. It is not abnormal. My friend and fellow World Champion of Public Speaking, Lance Miller says “Speakers do not have bad days, they have new speaking material!”
In the meantime, our BMW moves around without her logo, still smiling through her kidney grille. Most people do not recognize her. She has been called everything including “Skoda!”
She still drives smoothly, going places, knowing very well that labels and logos don’t matter, what matters is the engine that drives you! That’s what makes you The Ultimate Driving Machine… and that’s the title she has given herself.
Manoj Vasudevan is an internationally renowned Next Level Leadership Readiness expert, management consultant, and the World Champion of Public Speaking. He helps leaders to breakthrough to the Next Level in career, business, and life. Manoj is known for his expertise in simplifying complex topics into practical strategies. He is the CEO of Thought Expressions and holds an MBA from Imperial College, London. His books include the international bestseller Mastering Leadership The Mousetrap Way. He speaks at international conferences, multinational companies, universities, and around the world. As a coach, Manoj has proven track record in personal transformation and breakthroughs. CEOs, Senior Executives, UN Diplomats, Celebrities & Professionals from over 50 nationalities have benefited from Manoj’s coaching.
