A friend of mine recently found herself in a predicament at work. Her brand has been affiliated with one particular organization for the last decade, and as her work anniversary loomed, she began to think about who she was beyond her current role. She told me she felt boxed in, not sure how to create an individual brand she could leverage whenever she decides to pivot. I told her she was not alone.
A 2025 Aurora University study found that while more than 50% of professionals say they understand the strategic importance of personal branding, most struggle to create one. Some may feel overwhelmed with the additional time it takes, while others may fear judgment from their peers. Creating a personal brand beyond your workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for your career growth and sustainability.
1. Create space. Adding something new to your list may feel daunting, especially if your current role absorbs the majority of your life. But space won’t magically appear; it has to be made with intention. That often means removing things that don’t align with your goals and replacing them with intentional activities such as networking, learning, and planning. Without carving out this room, brand‑building can quickly feel overwhelming or unrealistic. If you’re serious about your future, treat this space as non‑negotiable. Make time in your day to shape your strategy and then put it into practice.
2. Define the vision. A common challenge among professionals seeking to pivot is figuring out what they want to do next. Begin with the end in mind. Describe your future role by listing the exact type of work you want to be doing, the environment, and the impact you want to have. Create an impact statement outlining how your work will change people, systems, or outcomes. Then, list measurable signs that your pivot plan works, such as: income, autonomy, industry influence, lifestyle. You will need to factor in your non-negotiables, including remote work, travel, salary range, and schedule, to ensure your vision aligns with your work-life priorities.
3. Build a thought-leadership presence. The goal here is to become known for your ideas beyond your job title. Join a board, volunteer group, or civic organization to create brand visibility and position yourself as an individual contributor, not just an employee. People remember what you produce. Try turning your expertise into a named method or process that can be leveraged for future opportunities. Develop your own digital portfolio or website to showcase any projects, presentations, or case studies. Share your insights regularly on LinkedIn through original content creation and comments.
Your brand grows through the people who talk about you, and that momentum builds once you’ve created space for your voice, clarified your vision, and shown up consistently as a thought leader. As your presence strengthens, your network will start to take notice. That’s how your brand expands beyond the workplace organically, authentically, and through the communities that see your potential and carry it forward.
Mary V. Davids is an executive career and leadership development strategist and owner of D&M Consulting Services, LLC. For more career tips and advice visit www.slaytheworkplace.com and follow /CoachMaryD on Facebook, @MVDavids on Instagram, and @careerchic on TikTok.
