Employee Branding: Why our Tagline Matters and How It Evolves With Your Career

In all my years of working I have never thought of myself as a brand. One day while talking to a co-worker about some internal work drama, she mentioned something about protecting "our brand" and I thought to myself, "wow, I'm a brand, and she is right, I don't want this drama tarnishing my brand." Contrary to popular belief, personal branding isn't just for entrepreneurs, influencers or executives, it is one of the most powerful tools an employee can use to shape how they're perceived, how they show up and how they grow. Having a clear sense of who you are professionally becomes an anchor as roles shift, industries evolve and careers pivot.

Branding yourself as an employee is about intentionally defining the value you bring, the way you operate and the professional identity you want others to associate with you. A strong employee brand communicates your strengths,
your work style, your values, and your growth mindset. When people understand your brand, they understand how to work with you, what to trust you with, and where you shine.

A tagline is a short memorable statement that captures the essence of your professional identity. Think of it as your career headline, the line that tells people who you are before they read the rest of your story. As we grow and evolve over the course of our career our taglines should do the same. Early career taglines highlight learning, adaptability and potential, while mid-level career taglines may emphasize expertise, leadership and impact. Senior career taglines often reflect vision, mentorship and legacy. The goal is to allow your tagline to grow with you. Use your tagline to refine how you communicate who you are becoming as you evolve.

To create your very own tagline use this simple framework:
1. Identify your core strengths
2. Define how you show up at work
3. Clarify the value you consistently bring
4. Add the energy or personality that makes you unique
5. Write one line that captures all of it

My tagline is: "I don't just pivot, I evolve. I come with skills you can't teach and a hunger to learn what you can."

Creating a personal brand and tagline is just the beginning. Once you know who you are and where you want to go, you have to figure out how to get there. On Episode 9 of the Oh Hell No...Not My Data podcast, I had Janet B. Heins, CISO at ChenMed, on the podcast; we talked about visibility in the workplace and her book Go Ahead...Ask For It! Check out this episode to get a jump start and if you really want to invest in yourself pick up Janet's book. It is a great read for everyone, at any stage in their career.