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I have created a new video that speaks to my passion for what I do and how I work with people. Please take a look and leave a comment:

Effective personal branding requires that you know yourself. Brands are based in authenticity. In this video for Personal Branding TV, William Arruda shares with you some questions you can ask yourself so you unearth your personal brand.

By, Dwight Frindt

The term “comfort zone” has become a popular way to describe how we are feeling about various activities we are taking part in – “that pushed me way out of my comfort zone,” or “that was not in my comfort zone,” are pretty common phrases these days.

When we talk about our “comfort zone” what we are talking about is our personal orbit, our range of personal activities. Each of us has a daily routine, a weekly routine and perhaps even a monthly or yearly routine. Generally speaking we are creatures of habit and we develop comfort zones we like, and of course, feel comfortable in.

Often, even when we do try to venture out of it, we are quickly pulled back in to it. There is a dynamic called “homeostasis” which is critical to this. Homeostasis has both psychological and physical implications and what it’s pointing to is the fundamental and biological drive for equilibrium and stability in a system, (and yes, we are including human beings as systems). In effect, homeostasis helps create and regulate our “comfort zones.” This is a very important phenomenon to understand. It works for us in critical ways. For example, it helps keep our body temperatures stable. As we know, we all have a set-point for body temperature that is on average 98.6 degrees. The homeostasis in our bodies helps insure that when our temperature fluctuates, it comes back to this comfortable set point. The downside is that when we challenge ourselves psychologically and emotionally in various ways, there can be a “homeostatic back lash,” and a strong pull to go back to our existing comfort zone until we have solidly established a new set point.

So our comfort zone is somewhat like a thermostat. Unconsciously it has been set at a particular point and when we change it, it takes some time to “heat up or cool down” to the new set point.

An amazing example of this is the research that has been done on lottery winners. It has been found that generally, if someone was poor before winning the lottery, they will end up poor again. If they were middle class, they would ultimately end up middle class again and so on. This is a powerful example of what happens when our set points or comfort zones are radically and unexpectedly challenged and how powerful homeostasis can be.

As we discuss comfort zones, set points, etc. we want to be clear that this is not a piece about people who plod along and move slowly or people who seem risk averse. If you are a fast-paced, “go, go, go” type of person that is your comfort zone. What if you had to slow down, be more reflective, bring your energy “down and in” instead of being an “up and out” kind of person? What if you had to take on a meditation practice? Would you still be in your comfort zone? What if you are a thrill seeker and look for ways to “push the envelope” all the time? What would happen if you lived a more mundane existence and had to experience the ordinary? Would you still be in your comfort zone?

The thing is, if you want new outcomes, bigger results and to achieve your vision are you ready to expand your comfort zone? Are you ready to alter your personal orbit? Are you fortified and prepared for the inevitable backlash that may come from inside you, but also from those around you who may feel threatened or unnerved by change? If you are part of their system, their orbit, their comfort zone, and you change, what happens to their comfort zone? If you aren’t ready to expand your orbit, how can you expect your colleagues, team, or employees to do it?

Source: http://www.2130partners.com/leadership-are-you-in-your-comfort-zone/

Quiz: How Well Are You Maintaining Your Personal Brand?

Developing and managing your personal brand—that which creates a clear and memorable impression about who you are and what you do—is practically a requirement in today’s economy. Doing so not only gives you greater control of your career and personal destiny. Take the Self-Quiz below to see if yours needs just a dusting off, or some full-fledged spring-cleaning.

1. I know what’s important to me, and I can list the values that inform my work and my approach right away when asked.

2. When colleagues (and those I work with at all levels) think of me, the idea that comes to mind is clear and consistent, from person to person.

3. I know how I create value for my company and/or my clients. They do, too.

4. My personal “brand message” is targeted and focused.

5. I put my brand, my unique contribution and/or approach, on everything I do: presentations, reports, meetings, deals, etc.

6. I look to connect my personal brand to every situation possible (and appropriate).

7. I consider myself my own CEO and have a vision by which I lead myself.

8. My emails are consistently opened, read and acted upon.

9. I focus on growing and nurturing my professional network, both through offline approaches (e.g., associations, speaking, etc.) and online strategies (e.g., LinkedIn, blog/forum participation, etc.).

10. I look to find what’s distinct about me and what I bring to the table, rather than try to conform to the norm. In essence, I create my own “unique selling proposition” (USP).

11. I have a personal brand plan, and I execute the strategy and tactics in it.

12. I establish appropriate partnerships that will extend my brand and help me get complementary brand value.

13. I make sure that everything that surrounds my brand (my office, my website, my customer service, etc.) communicates the same brand message.

If you answered true to at least eight statements, you’re well on your way to building a powerful personal brand. But don’t forget: it’s not only about creating a distinct personality, but also telling the world about it. Don’t hesitate to contact me if  you’d like support shining up your personal brand.

Having a great time in Thailand working with USAID! Amazing adventure on the River Kwai here in Thailand. Boat cruise on a bamboo raft and elephant riding!!

June 2011

Welcome to the June issue of According to Marshall…

There is a lot of information out there and most of us have little, or no time, to read it. My goal is to provide you, my readers, with relevant, important and up to date information that will help you in your business success. It’s just a quick summary, on various topics of interest, that I am sure will be relevant to your personal and professional success.

If there are particular subjects that you would like to receive information on, let me know. And if you want to share relevant information I would be happy to include it to my readers. Please feel free to send your information to me.

10 Tips to Get People to Act on Your Emails

by Jessica Strelitz, Smart Blogs

“Want to be more innovative? Stop doing all the stuff that is wasting time and sapping energy.”

Click here to read the full story

The Most Important Question a Manager Can Ask

by Linda Hill & Kent Lineback, Harvard Business Review

“The most effective way to find out what your employees need from you — and to be a better leader — is to ask “What can I do to help you be more effective?”.”

Click here to read the full story

9 Ways to Use Summer to Your Career Advantage

by Andrew G. Rosen, USNews

“As adults, most professions require we that we show up at the office, regardless of the season. While summertime can be considered “lazy days,” it’s actually the perfect time to up your game and advance your career.”

Click here to read the full story

Why Branding Your Resume Produces a High ROI

by Jessica Holbrook, JobDig

“It has been no secret in advertising and marketing for some time now that you need to know your target audience. In a job search it really isn’t any different. You need to know who you audience is, what their needs are and how to communicate the benefits of what you offer.”

Click here to read the full story

Properly setting expectations for directors and employees/team members is a critical dimension in quality workplaces, according to a study of managers undertaken in the 1990s by the Gallup Organization. Below are some tips on setting clear expectations that will set standards for excellence and results.

1. Start with a vision of what you want the end result to look like. Not just what you want done, but the results you want to achieve when the project is completed.

2. Discuss the how you define “excellent performance.” Paint a complete picture. Refer to your performance review form. Don’t assume.

3. Focus on the desired outcome, not on describing each and every step. Your goal is to guide, not control. Letting individuals find their own route toward productive outcomes encourages them to use their strengths.

4. Tie the mission of the department to each job. People want to know that their role, whether large or small, makes a difference.

5. Put the expectations in writing.

6. Stay on the sideline. You may be tempted to step in and ‘play the game’ for a subordinate, but if you do, no one will learn.

7. Give feedback, and often! The annual performance review is too late to let staff members know how they are meeting your expectations. Schedule informal review time weekly (quarterly for larger departments). Feedback given along the way sounds more like coaching, not like punishment.

8. Ask for staff members’ feedback on how they think they are doing. Two-way communication clarifies expectations.

9. Give positive reinforcement. Don’t mix negative and positive. Mention the thing you like and you’ll get more of it. Be specific and prompt.

10. Don’t take it personally. When staff members don’t perform as you think they should have, look for solutions, not blame.

I am currently at the international training session for USAID in Kenya and will be here until May 15, 2011. Here are some pictures I wanted to share with you.

I am in Ethiopia for 2 weeks training with USAID (United States Agency International Development). It’s hard to describe my reaction to this country as in many ways it’s so beautiful AND so very very poor.

Despite all odds, the people are extremely friendly and the smiles on the children’s’ faces shine brilliantly like the stars here at night.