John Updike's Personal Brand and Yours

I heard an interview with David Resnick, Editor-in-Chief of the New Yorker magazine, this morning about John Updike who recently died. Updike was a prolific writer and you'd think it would be hard to pinpoint who exactly he was as an author. But Resnick had no trouble! This, roughly, is what he said:

John Updike was the chronicler of the middle - not of kings and queens and not of the urban poor and desperate.

How concise is that? One sentence that clearly delineated Updike's brand, in this case by indicating who he was NOT.

When asked to review a resume yesterday, after I finished I was left wondering: "Who is this guy?" The title he gave himself was "Information Services Professional." And his resume was all over the map in terms of technology.

But, when I spoke with him, it turned out that he is a master database architect/designer. He loves the role and has numerous success stories in support of that positioning.

Taking a page from John Updike's book :), what he needed to do in his resume was reveal who he really is and what niche he plays in. It also became obvious in our brief conversation that he had personality X10. No hint of this in his resume, although his personal website also made that abundantly clear. 

He'd been through parts of the Reach personal branding process but hadn't taken that next all-important step of integrating what he learned into his self-marketing materials and self-concept. 

Whether famous and exalted or one of millions looking for jobs in this market, it makes sense to "know thyself." No need to wait for an obituary. Here is a moving poem by Updike that addresses this issue of our own authentic identities:

Perfection Wasted

And another regrettable thing about death

is the ceasing of your own brand of magic,

which took a whole life to develop and market-

the quips, the witticisms, the slant

adjusted to a few, those loved ones nearest

the lip of the stage, their soft faces blanched

in the footlight glow, their laughter close to tears,

their warm pooled breath in and out with your heartbeat,

their response and your performance twinned.

The jokes over the phone. The memories packed

in the rapid-access file. The whole act.

Who will do it again? That's it: no one;

imitators and descendants aren't the same.

-John Updike

 

Comments

[Rodney Wayne]

This traditional approach of personal branding entails personal sales and personal marketing, that can be a dirty business if you don't deliver what you promise. Dr. Hubert Rampersad is focusing on authentic personal branding. This reflects your true character and should be built on your values, strengths, uniqueness, and genius. If you are branded in this organic, authentic and holistic way, your personal brand will be strong, clear, and valuable to others. You will also create a life that is fulfilling and you will automatically attract the people and opportunities that are a perfect fit for you.....read more http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/sep2009/ca20090929_228578.htm and http://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Personal-Branding-Blueprint-Leadership/dp/1607520990/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242597283&sr=1-6