Leveraging your uniqueness for Professional growth on in-house teams

If you’ve ever worked on an in-house team, you know that corporations generally have a distinctive culture. It has a reputation for having a strait-laced, buttoned up, “fall-in-line” kind of attitude. What if I told you, that as designers and creatives, it can actually be quite the rewarding place… IF you know how to play the game. Honestly, corporate is, in fact, a game of politics if you want to be successful in it. One of the most important, if not THE most important tool to have in your pocket is your personal brand.

As creative teams, we play a crucial role in shaping and managing the company’s identity.  While teamwork and collaboration are essential, the growing recognition of the importance of personal branding within these teams and also within the network of the company itself. Here is where we get to curate our individuality in a way that has a profound impact on your success on in-house teams while also staying true to yourself for a more fulfilling career within corporate. Here are some ways in which having a solid personal brand benefits both you and the organization.

Alignment with Company Mission

Every organization has a unique mission and vision that guides its operations and goals. Individual personal branding within an in-house design team can help bridge the gap between personal values and the company's mission. When creatives have identified and aligned with their personal mission, they can find the correlation with the company's core values thus, creating a sense of purpose and authenticity in their work.

For example, if a designer's personal brand revolves around sustainability and eco-conscious design, aligning this with a company that shares these values can lead to more impactful and meaningful design contributions. This alignment not only strengthens the company's identity but also enhances the designer's sense of purpose in their role.

Building Networks and Connections

Design teams normally keep to themselves. We’re introverts. We like to focus on design and “get in the zone” where we are happy solving puzzles all day.  Which is great for productivity’s sake however, this often leads to marketing teams to be viewed as production wheels instead of thought-partners. This is what leads design teams to burn out, being over-worked, under stimulated, and ultimately unhappy designers.  In truth, design teams don't exist in isolation; they are part of a broader network within the organization. We constantly cross collaborate with other teams on projects that affect the company as a whole.  Whether it’s internal or external facing projects, we touch most if not all aspects of the company in some capacity.  

Personal branding can serve as a valuable tool for designers to establish and nurture relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and other departments. It can help you stand out as an individual within a company and make people take notice of your capabilities.  In turn, this will open new connections and opportunities to grow, create projects that you are passionate about, and be viewed as a thought partner when it comes to how your work affect the company. When creatives develop distinct personal brands, it becomes easier for others to recognize and connect with them.

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

As In-house creatives, we often face complex design challenges that requires abstract thinking. Having a well-defined personal brand can be a guiding principle in your decision-making and problem-solving. When you have a clear understanding of your personal design philosophy and values, you can use this as a compass to make choices that align with your brand.    

For example, if a designer's personal brand is centered around user-centric design, this ethos can guide them in making design decisions that prioritize the user's experience above all else. It ensures consistency in design choices and helps maintain the integrity of the brand.

Enhancing Collaboration

Effective collaboration is the cornerstone of any successful in-house design team, not only amongst fellow creatives, but with leadership, project managers, and cross divisional teams. Embracing individuality within your team can foster diversity in thought and approach. Designers with unique personal brands can bring different perspectives to the table, which can lead to more innovative and well-rounded solution overall, creating impact within the organization and respect as thought partners.  

While personal branding encourages individuality, it should not be seen as a barrier to collaboration. Instead, it should be viewed as a catalyst for richer discussions and more creative problem-solving. When team members respect and appreciate each other's personal brands, it can lead to a more harmonious and productive working environment.

Also, since politics are ever-present within corporations, there will be times your principals will be challenged.  Having a well-defined personal brand, will be the biggest asset you have in being clear about your decisions and reasoning. While it may not be agreed with, you will have the confidence to stand firm within yourself. Your personal brand will be essential to setting boundaries and keeping you aligned in the path you choose to go.

Personal Mission and Growth

Personal branding is not just about how you are perceived within the organization but it’s also about your personal growth and development. It encourages you as a creative, to continually refine their skills, stay updated with industry trends, and strive for excellence in your area of expertise.

Having a personal mission and brand can provide you with a sense of direction and purpose in your career. It motivates you to set goals, seek new challenges, and push your boundaries to achieve professional growth.

Finding your personal brand workshop

If you’d like to know more about finding your personal brand as a designer and navigating the corporate in-house team world, I will be creating a series of finding your authentic personal brand and navigating the in-house design industry. Join me on Instagram for updates, journaling prompts and other valuable information on the series!