What are you known for?

I am at the NFBPA mentoring workshop and the central question for today was "What are you known for?"  What kind of brand do you produce for others to see and take notice of that will set you apart from the rest of the pack. Everything we see around us has a symbolic meaning and a deeper representation for us even if we don't realize it. Coca-Cola has its polar bears and Floridian stock holders, Nike has its check and McDonald has its golden arches but what are you known for when people see or refer to you. It was the only question of today that struck a chord for me because as I begin my public service journey I realized that I do not want to build a brand to sell I want to develop a legacy to sustain another generation. What am I known for, where do my weaknesses lie and how can I leverage my strengths to strengthen others. So many people are into the business of selling a brand but as Dr. Coleman said today we first must be into the business of getting to know what is "inside of here" (him pointing to chest).  What kind of stuff are you made of that will lay the foundation for the legacy you want to set? This is the question I asked myself as I combated the idea in my head of the differentiation between brand building and legacy development. I want to be known for all the things that can never be captured on a resume. I want to be known for being a wonderful leader, friend person and an even greater public servant. I want my protege cohort to know me for my passion, resilience and determined spirit. I believe that is more than a brand and an impression, it is a lasting legacy.

Dr. Coleman today spoke today about changing our language in order to change and transform how we think about ourselves and the world around us. A brand is for a commodity, a good in the open market, a business tool for the sell of goods and services. One valuable lesson today that I learned (which I am sure was not the goal) is that my language can be dangerous to my own self perception. It is our rhetoric about ourselves and the rhetoric that we allow others to speak into our lives that becomes our worst enemy. For the longest time, I did perceive myself as a commodity on the auction block going to the highest bidder. I never stopped to think about what I needed from a job, I just went to the interview and "sold" myself. However, as the central question resonated in my spirit, " What am I known for?" I had to take an inventory to find out and discover what I "want" to be known for in the future since I did not feel like I was "known" for much now. I decided I want to be known for a legacy of service and dedication, no brand needed.

Overall very insightful learning from my peers and Dr. Coleman. I look forward to the rest of this journey with them all.

Mr. John Saunder, Aretha Ferrell-Benavides, Dr. Troy Coleman PhD

"Some" of Mentoring Class of 2012-2013!