Everyone’s career path unfolds in a uniquely different way. However, in order to find career success, we each must first find a way to professionally differentiate ourselves from others. Here are seven (7) ways to make a name for yourself in any field.
1. Boldly share your story: While most people are content to keep many of their certain life experiences solely private – many people have made a name for themselves by sharing their lives with others. Everyone has a compelling story that can inspire others to navigate a similar life and similar career.
2. Excel at something that is visible to others: In 1989 I met a very successful party promoter named Sean Combs in Washington, D.C. In 1994, I met the same person whose name had changed to Sean “Puffy” Combs who was fired from Uptown and founded his own record label Bad Boy Records (Entertainment). At the time, we were both working with Entertainment publicist Terry Williams. About a decade later, our paths crossed once again backstage at the VIBE music festival when he was known to the world as Diddy. Although the actual name Sean Combs calls himself has changed over the years - there is no disputing that he has made a successful career for himself because he first made a name for himself throwing a damn good party and become one of the hardest working free interns in the Industry.
3. Become a subject matter expert: Before Dr. Phil became Dr. Phil he was a successful, high paid legal consultant specializing in jury selection. he was THE go-to guy for millionaires involved in serious law suits. Before his TV career, he was hired by Oprah when she was being sued by the U.S. Beef Council during the “mad cow” epidemic for making a derogatory remark about “never eating beef again.” Phil McGraw was instrumental in helping Oprah win the case. Being a subject matter expert opened the door to Dr. Phil becoming a self-help expert and then the host of his own show for the past 14 years.
4. Be memorable: Judge Judith Sheindlin used to work in the family court system in Southern District/Manhattan county in New York City. She developed a reputation for her in-your-face personality, no nonsense attitude and quick wit. After making a name for herself as a Judge with a big “personality,” Judge Judy created a successful career as the world’s most famous TV Judge and executive producer who currently makes $45 million a year.
5. Create a track record of success: One of the things that helped accelerate my career at AT&T/Lucent Technologies was that I quickly developed a reputation for being calm under pressure and excelling at high-risk, high-reward projects. After just a few assignments, the division’s Senior Directors and VPs started requesting me to work on their projects. As my name traveled through the “corporate grapevine,” it eventually made its way to my Senior Vice President who then selected me for key international and CEO-level assignments.
6. Score a home run on one key project: Carolyn Davidson was a student at Portland State when she met Phil Knight (co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike Inc.,) She was paid $35 in 1971 to design the company’s Swoosh logo. At the time, Phil Knight told her “I don’t love it but maybe it will grow on me.” Although she was later gifted 500 shares of stock now valued at approximately $645,000 – she received the priceless gift of bragging rights for creating one of the world’s most iconic logos. Since 1971, Davidson went on to have a successful career in part because she knocked this ONE key project “out of the park.”
7. Adopt a professional nickname, moniker, or tagline: One way to develop a name for yourself in any field is to give yourself a new name that people will remember. Leonard McKelvey a.k.a. Charlamange Tha God is the co-host of the nationally syndicated morning radio show on The Breakfast Club with DJ Envy and Angela Lee. Sometimes the name we create for ourselves is also the name we give to ourselves. Even those who work outside the entertainment industry, can create a professional name for themselves.
This week as you seek to make a new or better career, remember that you first need to make a name for yourself. Making a name for yourself will open doors, create new opportunities and be the secret to you developing a successful career in any field or industry.