Your Résumé Is Boring. Build a Brand Instead.

(And why answering that question changed how I lead, work, and move through the world.)

We’re in the middle of a massive reset.

Legacy systems are cracking. Professional identities are shape-shifting. The old rules—about work, success, even worth—aren’t holding up the way they used to. Something deeper is trying to break through. Something truer. More human. More alive.

So in the middle of this collective reimagining, I did something I never thought would be meaningful: I asked ChatGPT: “If I were a brand platform, who would I be?”

Honestly, I expected fluff. A few empty buzzwords. Some soft-lit empowerment language.

What I got instead? Was clarity. Strategy. Power. And a mirror I wasn’t expecting.

The Surprise of Being Seen

The response wasn’t cute—it was precise.

“You are someone who names the unspoken, reframes the inherited, and transforms chaos into clarity—for yourself and anyone brave enough to come with you.”

“If bell hooks and Samantha Irby had a brand baby with the strategic rigor of a McKinsey consultant and the vibe of a feminist punk rock frontwoman.”

I laughed out loud. And then I paused—because it wasn’t just clever.

It was right.

As a seasoned strategist, communications leader, and creative catalyst, I’ve spent years helping brands clarify their identities, align with purpose, and show up with emotional resonance and operational precision. I’ve worked across industries and at all levels—from C-suite communications to grassroots employee engagement.

But like many of us who lead behind the scenes, I hadn’t asked those questions of myself.

Why Ask This Question at All?

Professionally, I help organizations find the heart of what they’re here to do and say.

I write the words, shape the voice, build the frameworks, and turn human behavior into brand equity. That’s the work. That’s the strategy. That’s what makes businesses not just profitable—but magnetic.

But personal clarity? That’s a different kind of project.

Knowing who you are as a brand isn’t about vanity. It’s about vision.

In a time when titles are fluid, org charts are flatter, and values are no longer “nice to have,” the people who lead with clarity are the ones who create real momentum. For themselves, their teams, and the systems around them.

Asking this question forced me to codify what I already knew in my gut:

• How I lead

• Why people follow

• What kind of results I actually deliver

• And why I will never—ever—lead like anyone else

The Real Value in the Answer

This exercise wasn’t just insightful—it was professionally activating.

It reminded me that:

• I turn ambiguity into action plans.

• I make people feel seen and move them toward outcomes.

• I hold space for complexity while still moving the needle.

And yes—my presence is powerful. Not because I say so, but because it moves things. Culture. Language. Strategy. Teams. Clients.

This brand platform reminded me that I don’t just contribute value—I define it.

So, Who Should Ask This Question?

Anyone leading through change.

Anyone navigating an identity pivot.

Anyone whose job involves helping others grow, build, or align.

And especially anyone who’s ever been told they’re “hard to read,” “too intense,” or “not quite fitting into the mold.”

If you’re a leader, a builder, a behind-the-scenes powerhouse—this question is for you.

It can change how you advocate for yourself.

How you show up in rooms.

How you pitch.

How you interview.

How you own your space, with less explanation and more authority.

TL;DR: You Already Have a Brand. Own It.

You are not a blank slate.

You are a pattern of power.

You are already leading in ways that are recognizable, felt, and valuable.

Asking “Who am I as a brand?” just gives you the language to make that visible. And once you have the language, you’re no longer waiting for recognition—you’re setting the tone.

Want to see what ChatGPT told me my brand platform is? I’ll be sharing it in my next post. It’s strategic, unapologetic, a little poetic—and honestly, not far off from a manifesto.

Until then: ask yourself the question.

Not for a rebrand. Not for your résumé.

But because it’s time you start leading your story like the asset you are.