Using Your Personal Brand to Elevate Your Team—and Yourself

“The most important brand you’re ever going to manage is the [Your Name] brand.”

— Chris Kempczinski, CEO of McDonald’s

In the AV and custom integration industry, we talk a lot about brand—how to position your business, stand out, and be memorable. But what about your personal brand?

Whether you’re a technician on the job site, a project manager leading installs, or an owner running the business, your personal brand influences your team, your clients, and your reputation daily.

What Is a Personal Brand, Really?

Personal brand isn’t about flashy LinkedIn posts or building a follower count (although it can include that). It’s how people experience you:

• How you communicate

• How you handle pressure

• How reliable you are

• How you show up for your team and clients

It’s your professional fingerprint. And in an industry that thrives on referrals, word-of-mouth, and trust, how you show up matters as much as what you do.

Why It Matters in the CI Industry

In custom integration, your reputation precedes your proposal. According to a 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Report, 69% of professionals say they won’t work with someone they don’t trust—even if they’re qualified. That trust starts with your personal brand.

The AV industry is also deeply networked. Clients talk. Vendors share notes. Teams shift. Your personal brand becomes your portable resume, reference, and credibility builder.

Personal Brand Isn’t Just for Owners and Executives

Everyone on your team has a brand—even if they’ve never considered it that way. And when individual brands are strong, authentic, and aligned with company values, the business brand gets stronger, too.

Consider this:

• A technician who consistently delivers clean work and communicates clearly builds trust and helps win referrals.

• A project manager known for calm, solutions-focused leadership keeps clients happy and projects on track.

• An office manager who brings positivity and structure builds a culture that retains staff.

💡 Personal brand = performance + perception + consistency.

What Your Brand Says About You Today

Try this quick exercise: Ask yourself (or your team):

• What am I known for at work?

• What do clients say about me after a project wraps?

• How do I handle mistakes or pressure?

• What would my team say if I weren’t in the room?

If your answers don’t reflect how you want to be seen, that’s okay. Your personal brand isn’t fixed; it’s built over time, with intention.

How to Strengthen Your Personal Brand

1. Be Consistent

Your brand isn’t built by big gestures, it’s built in the everyday. Show up with the same level of professionalism, no matter the audience.

2. Communicate Intentionally

Words matter whether you’re speaking to a client or chatting with the team. Clear, honest, respectful communication builds lasting impressions.

3. Lead From Any Level

You don’t need a management title to lead. Take ownership, stay solutions-focused, and support your peers—those actions shape your brand as a leader.

4. Align With the Company Brand

When your values and behaviors align with your company’s mission, the external brand becomes more authentic and powerful.

5. Be Visible (Internally and Externally)

Join conversations, share insights, speak up in meetings, and when you’re ready, share your experiences or project wins on LinkedIn. Visibility builds brand equity.

For Business Owners: Why You Should Care

Encouraging your team to consider their personal brands isn’t fluff; it’s a culture builder and retention strategy. When people take pride in their individual reputations, they perform better, collaborate better, and represent your company with care.

According to Deloitte’s 2023 Human Capital Trends Report, organizations that empower individuals to bring their full selves to work are 3x more likely to retain top talent.

If you want a team that cares about your brand, help them care about theirs.

From Intention to Impact

Whether wiring systems, managing installs, or keeping operations running smoothly, you’re not just doing a job. You’re building your reputation. Your career. Your legacy.

So next time you walk into a job site, showroom, or team meeting, remember: You bring your skills. Your experience. And your brand. Make it count.