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11.24.25
Your Values, Your Brand: Building Authentic Influence
By Roxanne Mullenberg, Leadership FMWF 2025 Vice Chair
Leadership FMWF participants reflect on lessons of authentic influence during a session this November.
Personal values don’t just guide your decisions—they also shape how you show up in the world. As we explored in the first part of this series, aligning your personal values with community involvement allows you to lead with integrity and make a meaningful impact. In the most recent Leadership FMWF session, participants took this a step further, diving into how personal values and community engagement can shape a personal brand that is authentic, credible and purpose-driven.
Keep reading to learn key takeaways from the session and how to apply them to your professional and personal presence.
What is Personal Branding?
Your personal brand is more than a resume, social media profile or job title. It’s the reputation, narrative and image that reflects who you are—your values, passions and the impact you strive to create. In today’s digital and interconnected world, your personal brand communicates not only what you do, but why you do it.Â
At the November Leadership FMWF session, Eric Piela and Kurtis Karn from Neon Unicorns led a personal branding workshop. Participants learned that authenticity and consistency are key and that your brand is strongest when your actions, both online and offline, reflect your values and commitments.Â
How Community Engagement Strengthens Your Brand
Community involvement demonstrates your values in action. Leadership FMWF participants explored multiple ways nonprofit and local initiatives can elevate a personal brand:Â
- Demonstrating Values Through Action: Active participation in causes aligned with your beliefs shows others that your values are not just words—they guide your decisions and behavior.Â
- Building Trust and Authenticity: When your brand reflects consistent action toward community impact, you establish credibility and foster trust.Â
- Creating Meaningful Connections: Volunteering or joining boards opens opportunities to network with like-minded individuals, mentors and collaborators.Â
- Differentiating Yourself: Leaders who live their values stand out in professional settings, attracting opportunities aligned with their passions and purpose.Â
At the session, participants discussed real-world examples of how their involvement in local nonprofits or business initiatives enhanced their professional reputation while supporting causes they care about.Â
Leadership Lessons from Area Leaders
JT Froning (Legacy Plumbing & Heating), Julie Whitney (Gate City Bank) and Emily Jones (Dakota Medical Foundation) joined the discussion to share how their organizations approach values-driven engagement. Participants explored how businesses can model values in action through employee initiatives, partnerships and philanthropy, reinforcing a personal and organizational brand that reflects authentic commitment to community.Â
Practical Steps to Build Your Brand
- Define Your Values: Reflect on the principles that guide you. These are the foundation of your personal brand.Â
- Engage in Community Initiatives: Volunteer, serve on a board or support causes that align with your values.Â
- Share Your Story: Use professional networks or social media to highlight how your values translate into action—without self-promotion.Â
- Be Consistent: Show up regularly for your causes and commitments; authenticity is reinforced through repeated action.Â
- Learn and Collaborate: Build relationships with others who share your passions; mentorship and collaboration strengthen influence and credibility.Â
Tip: Consider how the actions you take in your community reflect your values at work. Are they consistent with the story you want your brand to tell?Â
Next Steps: Bring Your Values to Life
Leadership FMWF emphasizes that your personal brand is not about self-promotion—it’s about showing up authentically, guided by your values, and making a difference in your community. By connecting personal values, community engagement and your professional presence, you can create a brand that resonates with integrity and purpose.Â
If you missed Part 1 of this series, read Leading with Purpose: Personal Values and Community Engagement to see how understanding your core values is the first step toward authentic leadership.Â
And remember: Leadership FMWF applications will be opening soon. This program gives participants the tools, insights and connections to align their values, strengthen their leadership and build a personal brand that truly reflects who they are inside. Consider applying once they open, or share the opportunity with someone you believe would benefit from this program.Â
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