Micro Power (3rd April 2012)
Most readers of this blog will be familiar with the idea of personal branding. It was Tom Peters who said “Everyone has a chance to be a brand worthy of remark”.
Personal branding is a very valid concept whereby you define what you stand for and how you provide value to the organisation, as well as what differentiates you from the competition.
It is necessary to be “on brand” in all you do. In these pressured times small lapses can harm the reputation of your brand in what might seem a disproportionate way. There is even a name for these lapses, micro-inequities. The term micro-inequities was coined back in 1973 by an MIT professor, Mary Rowe, while looking at discrimination and equal opportunities.
Micro-inequities were those subtle messages of disapproval or disregard unconsciously communicated to others. We have probably moved on from the more gross examples of such behaviour but there are still examples to be found.
Have you ever been with a fellow manager who was checking their mobile phone or blackberry, or otherwise multi-tasking while you spoke with them?
Have you ever been in a meeting and had your idea dismissed by the boss but then accepted when paraphrased by a seeming favoured co-worker?
Have you ever had a boss who interrupts you in full flow or finishes your sentences for you?