Why founders need personal brands, not just brand stories.

Not to add more work to a founder or leader’s already overflowing plate, but if that’s you, your personal brand matters.  Really matters. Particularly in this ever-evolving age of AI. Not just for your career growth, but your company’s as well.

People buy with emotion. Creating a personal connection plays a significant role in this increasingly AI-driven world where the content landscape is almost more saturated than the OG internet with cats.

Yes, content can be written in seconds. Quite frankly, it’s incredible what can be produced at the push of a prompt. But, it’s generic. It lacks human connection and insight. And, that is not just us saying it. To quote Chat GPT: 

“Despite AI's capabilities, it lacks genuine human emotion and experience. Consumers crave authentic stories and connections, which only real individuals can provide. A founder's personal brand offers this human touch, fostering deeper relationships with audiences.”

The more AI-crafted content fuels our feeds, the larger the need for personal content - content from a lived, human experience. Content that’s unique to you. And, it’s that uniqueness that makes your brand so valuable. 

Here's why building a personal brand is needed:

• To create the feels.
  Renowned psychologist Daniel Kahneman pretty much says it all: “Emotions contribute to 90% of our decisions.” It clearly articulates the need for storytelling that evokes some form of emotion. Because it sticks. To be clear, we’re not telling you to write a tear-jerker post every time - consider making people laugh, think, remember.  

• To become an authority.
  Studies show that over 80% of consumers tend to trust companies with leaders who have an active social presence. Thus reinforcing the need to build, tell, and share your personal story widely. This is where your insights and lived experience are invaluable, building credibility for yourself and your company.

• To grow your reputation - with your personality.
  It’s not just about being present and posting, it’s also about you - showing up. Showing your personality and what you stand for. The more authentic you are, the more likely you are to resonate with people, create real personal connections, and inevitably trust.

• To stand out and become a person people know. 
  Being unique and bravely sharing your POV leads you to becoming someone recognizable - someone even AI will notice. Founders and leaders with strong personal brands are more likely to appear in AI-powered search engines because they prioritize recognizable sources. This visibility inevitably helps grow trust for yourself and your company.

Whether you’re a founder, leader, or looking to step into a leadership role, sharing your story, your unique POV, and your knowledge goes a long way toward your next move - and to your company’s growth trajectory. It’s strategic, emotional storytelling - and because we’re talking about your personal story - it’s also your differentiator.