This blog series ‘My Brand Story’ takes a look at some of the world’s most interesting and intriguing brands. I recently conducted a phone interview with Isaiah Washington and have greater insight into Isaiah, the person/the brand, not just the actor.

Who is Isaiah Washington? When asked, most people would immediately define him as an actor due to his powerful portrayals on stage and in movies. However, there is much more than meets the screen. Actor. Activist. Philanthropist. Father. Husband. All nouns that define him, but with each one a different meaning, a different role, a different responsibility, a different challenge.

Webster’s dictionary defines an actor as one who represents a character in a dramatic production or a theatrical performer.

At 23-years of age, he was in between jobs and searching for direction. He had just finished serving in the United States Air Force and was planning to attend the University of Maryland. It is at this point Isaiah had his defining moment. The light of direction and purpose came on when he saw Spike Lee’s, ‘She’s Got To Have It’. Compelled to go to Howard University, he went in search of the Howard Players - a theater company started by Ossie Davis that existed 40-years earlier. He ended up in a classroom on campus, looking at a picture on the wall of the Howard Players  (now an internationally renowned marching band). Feeling stuck but on a mission, he enrolled in the university, with the ultimate goal of becoming an actor.

The Power of Words

As an actor, words are an important component of Isaiah’s being. As we talked, I gained greater insight into how the power of words has had impacted his life.

o A friend challenged him to audition for a gospel play, ‘Frank & Beans,’ while he was working at IBM as a temp. He auditioned and got the role.

o In 1988, while working as a founding member of City Kids Repertory, a youth came up to him and said matter-of-factly, “You don’t smoke crack.” With a puzzled look on his face, Isaiah asked the youth what he meant.  “You look different.”  This had a profound impact on his life by challenging his personal discipline and reinforcing the importance of saying ‘No’.

o Grey’s Anatomy a successful run impacted by words.

o Dr. Rick Kittles told him his DNA is linked to the country of Sierra Leone. Isaiah traced his maternal ancestry back to discover he is of Mende descent and makes the decision to visit his ancestral homeland.

In a series of events, the power of words has marked his path. His life is much more than a theatrical production to be contained in a single character on television. As a personal brand, you can’t compartmentalize your personal life and your professional work. Isaiah’s purpose as an African-American actor is to transcend boundaries, portray characters with multiple layers, and make a positive change through his artistry. In September, he will meet with Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic Sierra Leone, as he continues to build his relationship with his homeland.

As a father, he understands how his decisions affect the lives of his children. They attend private school and don’t watch much television. Isaiah advocates experience, the importance of having a beat up passport and a world view of life. His oldest son has traveled to 23-cities, 9-countries, and has had a passport since he was 3-months old.

On a global level, he spends a lot of time with charitable organizations. Inspired by the discovery of his direct genetic link to the Mende people of Sierra Leone, The Gondobay Manga Foundation was born. His foundation advocates cooperative planning to achieve positive, timely improvements in the lives of the people of Sierra Leone.

As I look at Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey, they have both moved beyond making money. They are focused on making a difference and living a life of significance. Significance is not a paycheck. Significance is not a role. It is the legacy you leave. It is the footprint you make and the lives you impact. After talking to Isaiah, I could sense the same focus with a desire to live a life of significance.

The power of words has definitely steered Isaiah Washington’s life. If we truly reflect on our lives, the power of words has changed us all.

What’s your brand story?
Isaiah Washington (My Brand Story Blog Post) Originally uploaded by Hajj Flemings

How important is fashion + style + time to personal branding? Today, I would like to share with you some of my thoughts. I was out shopping over the holiday weekend and I discovered this watch for $95. If you need to get to your next meeting or interview on time and in style, the Fossil JR9641 is a great device to measure time which is the currency of life.

Peter Drucker said, ‘Know thy time.’   Hajj said, ‘Know thy style.’

Fossil Watch JR9642, originally uploaded by Hajj Flemings.

I was on my laptop at Caribou Coffee in Royal Oak and I saw a friend
Eddie Lee (Detroit Young Professionals) and we talked for a minute and he mentioned the phase, ‘Thought Leader’ and this blog post was born. Thanks Eddie!

Are you a thought leader? We all have the potential to be one.

Thought leader is defined in Wikipedia as a buzzword or article of jargon used to describe a futurist or person who is recognized among their peers and mentors for innovative ideas and demonstrates the confidence to promote or share those ideas as actionable distilled insights (thinklets).

The term was first coined in 1994, by Joel Kurtzman, editor-in-chief of the magazine, Strategy & Business.

But now I ask you a question, what things matter to you? Does anybody care about your thoughts? What is important in your life? What are your interest and what do you truly care about? It is time to wrap your thoughts around something that matters and leverage the power of the new media, blogging, social networks, and microblogging- twitter to name a few. The voice of user-generated content is increasing and becoming more relevant. For me it is simple, my thoughts are wrapped around branding. Branding is an inexhaustible subject so there is never a shortage of content or things to talk about.

I believe a lot people focus on things they think other people want to hear versus creating relevant content that matters. Being a thought leader is not a title that you can anoint yourself with, so please don’t try.

What I believe thought leaders have!
o Vision. They see what others don’t see (and before others see it.)
o Innovate. They think outside the box.
o Focus. The concentrate on something that matters.
o Make the complex simple. Anybody can add steps to a process, can you remove steps and make the process better.
o Swagger. They have that something that draws you to them and makes you want to consume their thoughts and their content.

Thought leaders communicate passion when sharing their ideas. As a personal brand strategist I fight the ills of the branding world and unoriginally with my Apple laptop (I would say pen, but that is so 20th century) my blog, and my book. I am the world’s next superhero, just call me ‘Brand Man’. LOL

Are you a thought leader? Let me know your thoughts.

Two of the though leaders (social media/marketing) I follow in twitter:

@chrisbrogan
@SethGodin

Two of my personal favorites:
Kevin Carroll- www.kevincarrollkatalyst.com

TED(Technology, Entertainment, Design)- www.TED.com (Inspired talks by the worlds greatest thinkers and doers)

thoughtleader_tagcloud, originally uploaded by Hajj Flemings.

We are all uniquely designed as people regardless of where we are from. As a personal brand strategist it is very interesting to see how different people and different cultures approach personal branding and image management. My approach to branding is somewhat different than some of my peers. I believe that physical development is a very important dimension to developing the ultimate personal brand. Your personal image goes beyond the clothes that you wear, your online digital footprint, or the social networks you are apart of.

This blog post started as a twit this morning. I read an article in the New York Times that took personal imaging to a new level. The Japanese government has imposed laws for waistline limitations to shrink the overweight poplulation in Japan, the waistline requirements for men is 33.5″ and women it is 35.4″. This is quite an incentive plan by the Japanese government to inspire its people improve their personal image. I do believe that we have a personal obligation to ourselves to be the best that we can be. The next time you complaint about going to the gym just be glad that the government is not imposing financial penalties (the penalties will be imposed upon companies and government, i.e NEC, Japan’s largest maker of personal computers, said that if it failed to meet its targets, it could incur as much as $19 million in penalties) because you ate that burger. It is pretty safe to say this system will probably be effective in Japan, but in the U.S. that wouldn’t fly one of my friends in the Twitterverse said it best stating that Americans would scream it is a violation of their civil liberties.

Slimming_Japan, originally uploaded by Hajj Flemings.

I will be conducting a Personal Branding Workshop during International Detroit Black Expp ‘Buy Black Weekend’ on Saturday, June 6, 2008.

Int’L Detroit Black Expo- Buy Black Weekend, originally uploaded by Hajj Flemings.

Some of the top young professionals in the region put their imprint on the 2008 Mackinac Policy Conference (MPC). The state of Michigan has declared that one of its top priorities is to attract and retain young professionals. By deciding to make this demographic apart of the most powerful conference in the state, a major step was taken. Detroit Fusion, a diverse group of young thinkers and leaders comprised of the Gen ‘X’ and Millennial generations, was not only present, but on the agenda and welcomed by everyone.

If the state of Michigan is committed to changing the dead manufacturing model that built the middle class, a transition to a knowledge-based economy is required. The economic obstacles that we face provide a great platform to redefine the new economy. The same way Ford, GM, and Chrysler built the middle class and the economy of our region with manufacturing, new industries and infused thinking will build the new economy in Michigan.

Michigan’s top-leaders realize the talent they are attempting to attract and retain has to be part of the conversation. The seat of innovation has always come from the entrepreneurial mindset of great thinkers that were not weighed down with the weights of tradition but challenged and uplifted with the idea that human capital is the currency that drives any economy.

The inaugural class of young professionals from Detroit Fusion realized that the conference was only the beginning. I believe that every person has to take ownership to be change agents and brand evangelists of ‘The New Michigan’. Young professionals must be fully engaged in the process with input and resources to help infuse life into a stronger Michigan. The 2008 Mackinac Policy Conference and Detroit Fusion, through the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, was the first step in that process.

Mackinac Policy Conference + Detroit Fusion, originally uploaded by Hajj Flemings.

Where in the world did the phrase ‘elevator speech’ come from? When was the last time you actually talked to someone on the elevator, try like never. You enter the elevator when the door opens, getting on trying not to make eye contact with anyone, and purposing not to invade people’s personal space. You are waiting anxiously for the door to open at your floor so you can exit. It is an unwritten rule, a code of honor that we all unconsciously follow. The phrase ‘elevator speech’ (a.k.a. Message-2-the world) is your 30-second message communicating who you are and what makes you significant packaged in an unforgettable way.

Every person (personal brand) will have an audience of one with a person of influence. But the question is what will you say? Will you be prepared? Will you tell that person your life’s story or your brand story (read the blog post, My Brand Story)? Your message-2-the world is the platform for your personal brand to stand out and be distinctive.

What is your message-2-the world?

Is Detroit the next social media hub? It remains to be seen, but it is official the ‘D’ is on the Twitter map. Chris Brogan social media guru was visiting Detroit at ITEC May 20-22 and reached out to local twitters and Detroit responded. If you have never attended a Tweetup it is a must do. It is a very diverse group of thinkers, creatives, and leaders with common interest and common ground.

Spots:
Tweetup #1: Seldom Blues- Detroit, MI
Tweetup #2: Buffalo Wild Wings- Novi, MI

Tweetees (from Tweetup #2):

@chrisbrogan,
@damonhenry,
@leahmcchesney,
@llaurentsmith,
@digitalvision,
@jwphillips,
@snicholson26,
@charliecurve,
@ccarmichael,
@matt_osentoski,
@kewlrats,
@beverlycornell,
@dnrevel,
@typeis4lovers,
@kenburbary,
@hajjflemings

Join the Detroit Tweetup network!

Twitter logo, originally uploaded by Travelin’ Librarian.

‘My Brand Story’ is a new series that I will blog about telling inspiring stories of some of the world’s greatest brands. Of course my story is first.

What is a brand story? It is who you are packaged in an organic and authentic way that allows people to connect with the real you. Now, what you all have been waiting for my brand story . . . Relax, get a cup of Starbucks (White Chocolate Mocha of course) or Voss bottled water as I take you through the Genesis of the Hajj E. Flemings brand story. I grew up in a small town Roseville, Michigan with big dreams of being a gym shoe designer. When I was in high school, I had a passion for sketching sneakers. I started writing Nike during my senior year of high school and continued through my junior year of college without a positive response (I also wrote every footwear company in United States and was rejected by them all). The rejection letters I received from Nike serve as an inspiration and reminder that motivates me to this day. I found that wrapped inside of every ‘no’ was my ‘yes’. In 1992, I began working for Mavade Footwear, a growing sneaker company, in Wixom, Michigan where I designed the Equator, a cross trainer shoe. My book, ‘The Brand YU Life: Re-Thinking who you are through personal brand management’ was birthed out of my necessity to identify my purpose and live my dreams.

The Purpose of a Brand Story:
o Definition- It provides meaning, perspective, and focus to your life.

o Connection- People are emotionally connected to their favorite brands which is most effectively communicated through a story. As a mental realtor it is your job to own a slice of mental real estate in the mind of your customer.

o Value- Your story has the potential to increase your value and can effectively position your personal brand.

In conclusion, my brand story is about inspiring people to live a life of significances. I love assisting people and businesses in finding innovative solutions for common problems. I believe you will be defined in life by the size of the problem that you solve and addressing the issue of significances is a hugh undertaking with tremendous return. What is your brand story?

My Brand Story: Hajj E. Flemings, originally uploaded by Hajj Flemings.

Developing a successful personal brand must be build authentically. Character is the fundamental cornerstone that every personal brand must be built upon, over time it will reveal who you really are. There is a lot of talk about reputation and how important it is to build. This blog post is about the great debate of character vs. reputation.

Character vs. Reputation

Reputation is an external assessment by others, which can be accurate or inaccurate.
The problem with focusing on reputation versus character is that it is an external perception and doesn’t get to the core of your personal brand.

What is character? Character is defined as the stable and distinctive set of internal qualities or moral attributes build into an individual’s life, which will determine his/her attitudes and behaviors in life’s circumstance. Simply put it is who we really are and how we act when no one is watching. The beautiful thing about character is that it is a learned behavior that can be developed.

Your personal brand mandates that you have high moral character, live according to a defined set of values, and dedicate yourself to a meaningful purpose. By understanding and embracing these qualities, you can position your personal brand to be respected and sought after.

Reputation is a by-product of character. You can have a great reputation and poor character and over time your personal brand will deteriorate regardless of the external assessment of others. Having great character with a distorted external perception of who you are, you can still build a good reputation. Poor character tarnishes good reputation and great accomplishments. Roger Clemens one of the greatest pitchers of modern history is linked with extramarital affairs and steroids allegations which have tarnished his reputation. Almost daily we read about politicians, businessman, and athletes with undeveloped character that impacts their personal brand negatively.

In developing good character thing about four things:

1. Think before you commit.
2. Realize that everything that you do will come to light.
3. Understand that character is a learned behavior that can be developed.
4. Realize that character not reputation is the true essence of who you are.

Remember the sustainability of your personal brand long-term is directly linked to your commitment to developing good character.