Last updated: April 23, 2025
What are Essential Actions for CEOs to Enhance Their Personal Brand?
In today’s competitive business landscape, CEOs face the challenge of enhancing their personal brand to stand out.
This article presents essential actions, backed by expert insights, that can help executives build a strong and authentic personal brand.
From challenging the status quo to leveraging digital platforms, these strategies offer practical ways for leaders to amplify their influence and connect with their audience.
A brand strategy that doesn’t start with discomfort is decoration, not direction. If your visual identity is all gradients and grids without a backbone, people will scroll past—because humans don’t follow perfection, they follow pulse.
The best personal brands I’ve seen aren’t polished first. They’re raw. Misunderstood at first glance. But unmistakable at second. That’s the power of a strategy that’s rooted in contradiction: saying what others avoid, designing what others fear, and standing still only when the story demands silence.
As someone who helps founders carve their presence from clutter, I’ve learned this—don’t build a brand people like. Build one they remember. Through friction. Through feeling. Through the gut-punch of a visual that makes someone stopand ask, “Wait, who is this?”
That’s identity. That’s personal. That’s brand.
Sahil Gandhi, CEO & Co-Founder, Brand Professor
One of the things I believe CEOs must do to build their own personal brand is to stop calling it a “brand” anymore. The word itself has become too managed, too sanitized. What people truly crave is signal—not noise. I have learned that the most powerful thing I can do as a co-founder of an online school is to openly challenge the status quo in education, even if it ruffles some feathers. Your perspective needs to be uncomfortably real and tangible. Don’t provide wins alone—provide contradictions, half-baked ideas, and difficult choices you did not make. Leadership lives there. If you’re going to lead, stop playing the expert. Be the adventurer. Let people watch how you think, not what you have accomplished. The right people will follow—not because you are flawless, but because you’re genuine and in motion.
Vasilii Kiselev, CEO & Co-Founder, Legacy Online School
I believe the one thing every CEO should inevitably do to enhance and scale their personal branding is to establish a consistent, authentic voice across multiple platforms. Your personal brand isn’t just about visibility–it’s about trust, credibility, and the value you bring to your audience.
For me, this meant showing up consistently on LinkedIn, industry podcasts, and thought leadership articles where I could share real insights from my journey. Instead of focusing on self-promotion, I leaned into providing actionable advice, sharing lessons learned from both successes and failures, and engaging with my audience directly.
One specific example of this in action was when I openly discussed a challenge we faced at Nerdigital–scaling while maintaining service quality. I didn’t sugarcoat the struggles. Instead, I shared the real strategy we used to turn things around. The response was overwhelming. That single post led to increased engagement, partnership inquiries, and even a keynote speaking opportunity.
Many CEOs hesitate to put themselves out there because they feel they need a perfectly curated image. But authenticity resonates more than perfection. People want to connect with leaders who are relatable and transparent. Whether through writing, speaking, or video content, showing up consistently with valuable insights will position you as an authority in your industry.
To scale personal branding, I also leverage smart content repurposing. A podcast interview turns into a LinkedIn post, which then becomes a blog article, and later a discussion topic for a live Q&A session. This approach maximizes reach without requiring constant content creation.
In the end, personal branding isn’t about chasing viral moments–it’s about building long-term credibility. When done right, it not only elevates your influence but also strengthens your business, opening doors to opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
Max Shak, Founder/CEO, nerDigital
As the founder of 5 SENS, I’ve learned that the single most powerful thing CEOs can do to scale their personal brand is to consistently embody their company’s core emotion or purpose in everything they do.
For me, that means living the “mood, bottled” ethos of 5 SENS in all my public-facing activities. It’s not just talking about our fragrances—it’s showing how my own emotional journey connects to our products and mission.
When you deeply align your personal presence with your brand’s emotional core, three powerful things happen:
The traditional advice about consistent social posting or professional photography is secondary. What truly scales a founder’s personal brand is when there’s no daylight between who you are, what you believe, and what your company stands for.
Your personal brand becomes the human embodiment of your company’s promise—a walking, talking demonstration of the transformation your product offers.
Divya Gugnani, CEO/Founder, 5 SENS
One thing CEOs should inevitably do to scale their personal brand? Step out of the ‘about us’ page and into the feed.
People want to know the human behind the hustle — not just the company’s origin story, but your version of why it exists. Share that. Often.
When I started showing up online — not just as ‘Founder of Celestial Fix’ or ‘RIVTD co-creator,’ but as the guy who juggles manufacturing chaos, shipping deadlines, client quirks, and still has strong opinions about which denim wash reigns supreme — that’s when people started connecting.
Why does it matter?
Because people don’t follow logos. They follow people. And when your name builds trust, your company gets inquiries before you pitch.
So, CEOs, post that behind-the-scenes photo. Share your failures, your “oops” moments, your unexpected wins. Tell us about the time your first shipment was stuck at customs because someone misspelled “Taiwan.” That’s the gold.
Your personal brand is the shortcut to credibility — don’t outsource it, own it.
Pankaj Agrawal, CEO & Founder, Celestial Corporation
I may not be very original, but I truly believe that to enhance personal branding, we must expose our authentic selves more and do that often.
The first step is to overcome our internal resistance, that inner voice doubting that we have anything interesting to offer. As CEOs, we are exposed to a huge number of challenges that shape us, build our experience, and create our own unique stories.
Realizing and acknowledging that there are people who might benefit from our experiences is essential.
There may be many who are a bit earlier on the journey, there are many who are in similar places but might need some inspiration, and there are many who have already been here but would love to contribute or at least remind themselves how it was years ago.
But it’s super important to be authentic. In the age of a ton of vague, generic points of view, it’s even more important to share authentic stories. Do that regularly, but do not set unrealistic goals.
Radek Kaczynski, CEO, Bouncer
CEOs who want real traction with personal branding need to pick one core theme and emphasize that theme consistently across all platforms. Repetition builds authority. When people hear your name, they should instantly associate it with one specific idea or energy. For me, it’s being the injector who teaches and still performs injections. You can’t dilute your identity across twenty different content areas and expect consistency to follow. Own one message, refine it, and let that define every post, caption, and media mention.
That being said, none of this is effective unless it’s backed by action. Personal branding isn’t just “talking about what you do,” it’s proving it. Every video reel, email, or podcast appearance needs to echo the work you’ve already accomplished. Show evidence, demonstrate your process, and highlight both the successes and the efforts. Visibility matters, but proof matters more.
Kiara DeWitt, RN, CPN, Founder & CEO, Accredited Master Nurse Injector, Injectco
It’s fascinating to see how personal branding has evolved. Ten years ago, CEOs typically stayed behind the scenes and were rarely the face of their companies. At most, a business might hire a brand ambassador or spokesperson to represent it. But that landscape has completely shifted.
We’re now in a digital era where clients, customers, and even prospective employees want to feel personally connected to the people behind the brand. They’re not just buying your products or services — they’re buying into you. In many ways, your personal brand has become an extension of your identity — not just as a leader, but as the living heartbeat of your company.
When I started developing my own personal brand, it wasn’t intentional. I was just trying to market my company and decided to explore how LinkedIn could help. Through some trial and error — and a lot of scrolling — I quickly realized how powerful a CEO’s personal brand could be.
So, what is a personal brand? Close your eyes and think about the CEOs you know. What comes to mind? What do they stand for? What do they believe in? How do they lead? That’s their personal brand — and that’s what draws people in.
Once I understood that, I leaned into it. I began posting more intentionally on LinkedIn, and what stood out wasn’t polished ads or sales pitches — it was the personal stuff. The posts that resonated the most were the ones where I shared real opinions, leadership lessons, or moments from my life — like what I’ve learned from coaching AYSO soccer.
People connected more deeply because it was real. And that’s the key: you already have a personal brand. The only thing left is to share a piece of it with the world.
Ivan Fernandez, CISSP, CEO, SPN Networks, Inc
One thing I believe more CEOs need to embrace to grow their personal brand is digital empathy. It is the ability to truly understand, connect with, and respond to your audience in a way that makes them feel seen, supported, and safe in an online space.
We’re living in a time when the world feels increasingly unstable. People are overwhelmed by a constant stream of heavy news, divisive opinions, and economic uncertainty. Trust is harder to earn, and attention is more fractured than ever. In this environment, empathy is no longer a soft skill. It’s a core leadership strategy.
More than ever, your audience is craving something real. They’re not looking for perfectly polished content or pressure-based marketing tactics. They want to feel like the brands and leaders they follow actually understand them. They want to know someone is paying attention to what they’re experiencing – emotionally, mentally, and energetically.
This is something I center in everything I do. Whether I’m writing a launch email, mapping out a course, or onboarding a new client, I ask myself: what are they really feeling right now? What do they need to hear to feel grounded, hopeful, and empowered to take their next step? When you start there, your messaging becomes more than strategy. It becomes a service.
Digital empathy allows you to build trust at scale without losing the heart of your brand. And in today’s world, that’s not just powerful – it’s necessary.
Lauren Diana Scalf, Business Coach & Strategist, Soul Empowered with Lauren Diana
The one thing CEOs should inevitably do to scale their personal brand is to consistently document their journey rather than trying to create perfect content. This is the game-changer most executives miss.
When I started sharing my SEO strategies and remote work experiences across 35 countries, I wasn’t waiting for perfect moments to share on my social media; I was just going with the flow and capturing real insights from building a finance platform that actually helps people. The algorithm rewards consistency over perfection every single time.
Too many CEOs overthink content creation when they should be treating it like something normal. It should be something you do regularly, and without hesitation. Your unique perspective as a leader is valuable currency in today’s attention economy. Sharing mishaps is even more valuable than sharing good things.
Don’t outsource your voice completely. Your team can help amplify and organize, but the core thoughts need to come from you. When I share insights about my six years practicing the Wim Hof Method or how a ketogenic diet reversed my acid reflux, it connects with people because it’s authentically me.
The market doesn’t need another polished corporate spokesperson. It needs real leaders sharing real experiences that others can learn from.
John Talasi, CEO & FOUNDER, Financer.com
Show your face consistently and with intention. The biggest shift I see in CEOs who want to scale their brand is when they stop outsourcing their presence. Your audience connects with you, not your logo. And the fastest way to build that connection is through photography that feels personal, grounded, and real.
You don’t need to wait for a milestone or makeover. I’ve photographed women who believed they weren’t photogenic and watched their visibility double after one shoot. What changed was how they saw themselves–and how the world responded. One portrait can change how you show up in every room, digital or not.
Start with one modern, expressive portrait that reflects who you are now. Then show up often. Use those images across your site, LinkedIn, pitch decks, and press. Build a visual rhythm that keeps your brand cohesive. People trust the faces they see regularly. And trust moves faster than algorithms or ads.
The more visible you are, the more aligned opportunities land in your inbox. Visibility isn’t vanity–it’s clarity. Your image tells people how to treat you. Don’t let it speak by accident. Make it speak with intention.
Renata Lutz, Founder and Photographer, The Portrait Mama
If you’re a CEO aiming to scale your personal brand, here’s a counterintuitive approach: stop thinking like a “thought leader” and start thinking like a character.
We’ve all seen the polished, LinkedIn-perfect CEOs posting the same “leadership lessons” and motivational quotes. It’s fine—but it blends into the noise. People don’t remember thoughts; they remember characters. Steve Jobs wasn’t memorable because he dropped hot takes about innovation—he was memorable because he was a character: intense, obsessive, a little mercurial, but undeniably magnetic.
The CEOs who succeed at personal branding are those who choose to be someone. Not just “smart” or “professional” or “insightful”—that’s the baseline. What makes you sticky is a recognizable, slightly exaggerated version of yourself. Perhaps you’re the brutally honest founder who calls out startup BS. Maybe you’re the zen strategist who builds empires quietly. Or you could be the obsessive tinkerer who tests 47 variations of a landing page before breakfast. Cool. Own it. Amplify it.
Once you figure that out, ensure your entire online presence is written as if you’re a recurring character in a documentary. Maintain the same tone, quirks, and rhythm. Whether it’s a tweet, podcast guest appearance, or conference stage—you’re not just showing up with an idea. You’re showing up with a persona people look forward to hearing from again.
That’s how you scale a personal brand: not by being everywhere, but by being unmistakably you everywhere you are.
Derek Pankaew, CEO & Founder, Listening.com
As someone who has built a brand in one of the most skeptical markets out there–lawyers–I can tell you that personal branding for CEOs isn’t just nice to have; it’s mandatory if you want to scale.
CEOs need to be the face of their company, whether they like it or not. The easiest way to scale personal branding? Create content consistently. For me, that meant leaning into educational content for law firms–breaking down complex marketing concepts into simple, actionable advice. CEOs who don’t show up online are basically ghosts to their prospects. You don’t have to be a YouTuber or TikTok star overnight, but you do need to show up regularly where your audience hangs out. For us, that meant speaking directly to frustrated lawyers through articles, videos, and even memes. It humanizes you, builds trust, and pays dividends when it’s time to close deals.
It’s simple, but most skip it because it feels uncomfortable at first. Get over that, and you’re already ahead of 90% of your competition.
Patrick Carver, CEO & Founder, Constellation Marketing
Identify your values and stay true to them, consistently and authentically, through alignment of your actions, words, and beliefs. This might look like choosing when to join the conversation and which topics to avoid, since strategy is just as much about saying no as it is about saying yes.
It could also involve joining communities or speaking on podcasts related to topics that you care about and are values-driven. Additionally, it may include refining your stance on a particular topic based on how deeply it resonates with you and your unique, personal story.
Any brand has to be unique, authentic, consistent, and strategic, with an alignment of values in thoughts and actions. As a leader, committing to your personal brand in a values-driven manner will help you stand out from the rest while staying true to yourself.
Laura Goldstone, Senior Director of Communications and Branding Strategy
If there’s one thing I believe every CEO should do to scale their business and brand, it’s this: write that book.
Not just any book–a thoughtfully crafted, well-positioned nonfiction book rooted in your expertise. A book that captures your ideas, your unique framework, and the powerful vision behind your work. I’ve seen it time and again in my 15-plus years working in the writing and publishing industry. Writing a book is a game-changer!
Why? Because a book builds instant credibility. It tells the world you’ve done the deep work. You’re not just another voice in the industry–you’re the voice people should be listening to. Your book becomes a tool that opens doors: media coverage, speaking engagements, new clients, and unexpected opportunities.
But more than that, writing a book forces clarity. It helps you distill your message in a way nothing else can. You’ll articulate your ideas better. You’ll show up more confidently. You’ll lead with greater purpose because you’ve taken the time to define what matters most.
And let’s not forget: books have staying power. Unlike social media posts or podcast interviews, a book lasts. It lives on bookshelves, gets passed between hands, and keeps working for you long after it’s published.
So if you’re a CEO looking to elevate your brand and leave a lasting impact, start with a book. Capture your expertise. Share your story. And amplify your influence in a way only a book can.
Stacy Ennis, Author, Founder & CEO of Creatively, Creatively, LLC
Show up with substance, not just style.
If you’re a CEO and you’re not actively shaping your personal brand, you’re leaving influence, credibility, and opportunity on the table. One thing you must do is speak publicly… often, and with intention. Utilize platforms such as podcasts, panels, op-eds, LinkedIn… whatever platform fits your voice. However, don’t just promote your company. Promote your values, your thinking, and your leadership philosophy.
Your personal brand should reflect your actual leadership, not some sanitized version you’d like to be. People want to know who they’re betting on. Be visible. Be bold. Be real. That’s how you scale trust, and trust is what scales everything else.
If you don’t want to publicly talk about your leadership, it’s time to consider hiring an Executive Coach.
Tara Furiani, CEO, Not the HR Lady
Forget the moodboards and mission statements for a sec. If your brand strategy doesn’t hit like a personality, it’s wallpaper.
Visual identity? That’s not colors and fonts. It’s how people feel when they see you online.
Your personal brand is the loudest signal in the room—make it unmissable, not pretty. Stand for something. Look like it. Speak like it. Own it.
Bhavik Sarkhedi, CEO, Bhaviks
If you want to scale your personal brand as a CEO, the first and most important thing you must do is get rooted in who you are and ensure everything you say and do reflects that.
A few years ago, I found myself in a season of quiet reinvention. I had all the credentials, the experience, and the results. The moment I started showing up in new ways, I noticed something: people didn’t know where to place me. I was no longer fitting the version of me they had already decided on. For a while, that made me shrink. I kept thinking, “Do I have to prove myself all over again?”
That experience taught me that personal branding is about alignment. Once I got clear on my core values and made the intentional decision to show up in alignment with them, everything shifted. I stopped chasing clarity from others and started embodying my own.
We live in a time where CEOs are expected to lead with both strategy and story. The differentiator isn’t how often you show up but how consistently your presence matches your purpose. When people feel your brand before they even engage with it, that’s when trust scales. That’s when opportunities expand.
So if you’re trying to grow your influence, you have to ask yourself, “Is my personal brand rooted, or just visible?”
When alignment becomes your personal branding strategy, elevation becomes inevitable.
Whitney Barkley, Master Content Marketing Strategist, Speakerazzi
One thing every CEO should inevitably do to enhance their personal brand is treat themselves like a creator. I’ve been a creator since I was 14, and now as the CEO of REACH, I still show up on platforms like Snapchat and LinkedIn–not just to post, but to share what I’m building, what I’m learning, and what I believe in. I’ve always said that everything and everyone should have a following. Whether you’re running a startup or leading a public company, telling your story matters because that’s what people connect with.
A lot of CEOs focus on partnering with creators, which is great, but they often forget they can be the face of their brand too. You don’t need to go viral or make content every day. But showing up, sharing your thoughts, being open about your process, and letting people in builds trust.
You don’t need fancy equipment or a choreographed TikTok. Just be authentic. Share your insights on LinkedIn. Launch a podcast or be a guest on others. Post behind-the-scenes moments. The more human and transparent you are, the stronger the following you’ll build. And the best part is that it’s free branding with exponential impact.
Dylan Huey, CEO, REACH
Any CEO looking to scale their personal brand should look into creating a signature IP – like a book or framework and then back it with a digital PR engine. I learned that the hard way. For years, when people searched for ‘Sam Taggart,’ a comedian showed up. I felt that my online existence was overshadowed.
But after launching Eat What You Kill and embedding it into every part of my business, from media to events to sales systems and SEO, we built a full visibility strategy. Now, my name pulls up my book, business, and voice across the biggest media publications. I see this visibility as leverage instead of vanity. It drives leads, potential deals, recruits, and reach. You’ve already lost if your story doesn’t show up when someone searches your name.
Sam Taggart, CEO & Founder, The D2D Experts
One thing CEOs should inevitably do to scale their personal brand is to start treating digital presence like digital infrastructure.
Visibility isn’t just about showing up anymore—it’s about showing up in a way that search engines, AI tools, and human audiences all recognize as credible. This doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design.
As someone who worked on AI/ML-aligned teams in big tech before becoming a public-facing digital creator, I’ve seen how backend systems assign trust long before the public ever does. So when I built my own personal brand, I didn’t just create content—I created a digital identity that could be indexed, echoed, and expanded.
While I don’t follow formulas, I do follow patterns. The result? A personal brand that became Google Verified across three categories—and a presence that continues to grow without ads, outreach, or a team.
You don’t have to understand the entire algorithm to build influence. You just have to be strategic about what you’re teaching it to remember.
Because when your presence is architected properly, the internet does the heavy lifting for you—even when you’re offline.
Susye Weng-Reeder, CEO | Google Verified Public Figure | Author | Creator, Susye Weng-Reeder, LLC
One thing CEOs should inevitably do to enhance and scale their personal branding is to share their failures and insights publicly on LinkedIn.
By sharing their journey, insights, failures, and decisions transparently–especially on platforms like LinkedIn–they turn themselves into relatable leaders instead of distant executives. This not only humanizes the brand but also builds trust, attracts talent, media, and partners, and compounds their influence over time.
I’d recommend starting with one thoughtful post a week. Consistency beats polish.
Dmitry Dragilev, CEO, JustReachOut
One thing I’ve learned: content is leverage. CEOs need to document the journey. I started posting behind-the-scenes reels, project breakdowns, and even lessons learned from client pitches—and it humanized both me and the company.
This drove a 70% increase in inbound leads last year from people who said, “I saw your post and felt like I knew you already.” Video, naturally, is my medium of choice, but whatever the platform—LinkedIn, podcasts, newsletters—the key is showing up with consistency and vulnerability.
Andre Oentoro, Founder, Breadnbeyond
To scale their brand, CEOs should consistently connect their leadership voice to their organization’s mission publicly.
I’ve made it a practice to show up regularly — on LinkedIn and in personal conversations — to share not just what we’re doing at Ideas42 but why it matters and how we’re doing it. That includes pulling back the curtain on real decisions, sharing lessons learned, and staying grounded in the mission to make systems more equitable by design.
Your brand as a CEO isn’t just about visibility — it’s about purpose, consistency, and trust in motion. A CEO’s brand should be an extension of what they champion — and a signal to the world about what they stand for.
Bridgette Gray, CEO, ideas42
CEOs should consider what their personal differentiator is – their origin story and their “why.”
There are many companies that do what theirs does, so what do they want to be known for on a personal level?
This could be leadership philosophies, values, philanthropy, etc.
There should always be a thread of them as a human in addition to their professional successes in order for audiences to be drawn to them and create an emotional connection.
For scaling personal branding, as with most content creation and strategy, they should be multi-threading and repurposing content across channels in order to maximize reach and effectiveness.
Alexis Rivera Scott, Founder & CEO, The Fairy Job Mom
Start a podcast! Seriously. We’re living in an era when people trust voices more than logos, and there’s no better way for a CEO to scale their personal brand than by showing up consistently in their own words, in their own voice. Whether it’s audio-only or with video, a well-crafted podcast builds trust, authority, and reach – without feeling like another sales pitch. These days, it’s not about going viral. It’s about becoming unignorable (and unforgettable) to the right people.
Neal Veglio, Founder, Podknows Podcasting
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