Maha Abouelenein, CEO of Digital and Savvy and author of *7 Rules of Self-Reliance*, discusses the idea that your reputation is your most valuable currency. She emphasizes that personal branding should focus on promoting ideas rather than self-promotion. Maha shares insights on the importance of authenticity, staying humble while pursuing goals, and the value of learning from missteps. She also highlights the need for proactive engagement to grow professionally and the significance of understanding one's core values in shaping a strong reputation.
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insights INSIGHT
Personal Branding as Leadership
Personal branding is about leadership, not self-promotion.
It's about promoting ideas and thought leadership, similar to reputation.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Let Your Work Speak
Focus on hard work and consistent value delivery.
Your work will speak for itself, attracting recognition naturally.
insights INSIGHT
Reputation as Currency
Your reputation, like currency, is your most valuable asset.
Its worth is determined by others' perceptions and trust in you.
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Maha Abouelenein: 7 Rules of Self-Reliance
Maha Abouelenein is an American Egyptian with more than 30 years of global communications experience advising global corporate giants, startups, governments, CEOs and high-net-worth individuals. She is the CEO of Digital and Savvy, a strategic communications consulting firm with offices in the States and Dubai. Maha is the author of 7 Rules of Self-Reliance: How to Stay Low, Keep Moving, Invest in Yourself and Own Your Future*.
One of the definitions of the word currency in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is, “General use, acceptance, or prevalence.” All of us want to be both accepted and prevalent in the work we get to do. In this conversation, Maha and I discuss how your reputation is perhaps the most important currency of all.
Key Points
Personal brand isn't about self promotion, it's about leadership.
Rather than promoting yourself, promote the ideas that you stand for.
Reputation is currency. It’s the only thing you truly own and its value comes from how other people perceive it.
Sometimes it’s the right move to take a job to earn. It’s also important to take jobs to learn.
Knowing what you stand for is key, but this doesn’t come overnight.
We all make missteps. What’s often more remembered is how you respond. Apologize and have empathy when things go wrong.
Resources Mentioned
7 Rules of Self-Reliance: How to Stay Low, Keep Moving, Invest in Yourself and Own Your Future* by Maha Abouelenein
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
Making the Case for Your Promotion, with May Busch (episode 526)
How to Tell a Story About Yourself, with David Hutchens (episode 661)
An Invitation for Kindness in Leadership, with James Rhee (episode 693)
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