Personal Development | Bobby Umar’s 8 Tips For Success

Today’s Speaker Guest blog is from Executive Leadership Coach & Authority on Personal Branding Bobby Umar.  A champion of authentic connection and heart-based leadership, Bobby brings an engaging presence, endless exuberance and dynamic people skills to his presentations. 

1. GIVE WITHOUT EXPECTATION

I have often used this philosophy as part of my networking keynotes. But it goes far beyond just networking. The idea is that every single one of you got ahead or achieved greater success because of people who helped you. Therefore, it’s only prudent, empathetic and good karma to be grateful and give back to help others.

It doesn’t matter how high and mighty you are, or think you are. At the end of the day, no person’s time is worth more than that of another. So if someone asks you for help and you can, just do it. If you use one hand forward to get ahead then simply reach one hand back to bring someone else up with you. Give someone your time, give someone your contacts, give someone your feedback, give someone your mentorship. Giving is it’s own reward. It is a defining aspect for leadership. Ultimately that giving reflects strongly on your personal brand, reputation and integrity. Soon that giving will give back, and then some.

One time, I gave back my time and energy to a young person and that relationship eventually landed me my first of four TEDx talks. That was a huge catalyst in my career.

2. MAXIMIZE YOUR CAREER GROWTH, BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF FAMILY & HEALTH

This is far too often a recurring situation. It’s okay to work hard on a project temporarily to get a milestone. It’s okay to deal with a stressful situation when it comes up. But there is a point where your work, your career growth and ambition starts to get in the way of your health and family needs. 

We already see how much people prioritize work over family and health. They work long hours to get the next promotion, money and title, yet your kids don’t care as much as you think – they just want your time. People slave away in a stressful or toxic situation such that they develop ulcers and migraines. Or when they get sick, they take one day off and feel obliged to come back sooner rather than get better. Meanwhile they are working 70% for 4 days.

Know your priorities. Your health and family are more important than work. A better you is a better everything else, including your career growth.

At the end of the day, most companies will support when family or health issues arise. If they don’t, is that the type of place you really want to work?

3. THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICE vs. DEFAULT

I once saw this tattoo with the words “Choice vs. Default” and it resonated with me in a profound way.

Don’t fall into a job or a career. Choose the path that is best for you. So many of us simply end up in a job or opportunity because it seems good at the time or we are grateful someone thought of us. But we forget about having ownership of our path. You will have far more success, fulfillment and impact if you choose your path, whether academic, corporate or entrepreneur.

It goes even beyond that when you think of personal relationships and even parenting. Those who choose are more invested, more aligned and have a great chance of success. Those who default struggle to align it, often feel forced in a situation and are more likely to feel unfulfilled in some way.

What will you choose today & tomorrow? 

4. EVOLVE, LEARN, GROW OR DIE

In every aspect of business and personal life you need to adapt/innovate or die.

Just recently, I learned something new about how I message people that made me realize how I should evolve to be better. When social media first came onto the scene, I had to learn how to network better with it. You can apply this philosophy for many aspects of your life, or reasons to be online — job search, share content, connect people, gain expert insights, and network professionally among others.

What are YOU doing to learn, adapt, innovate in life and online? That’s leadership.

5. DON’T BE MOULDED, DEVELOP YOURSELF

One of the most common things that happen to many of us in the corporate world is the idea of ‘being moulded’ to the ‘way we work’.

I remember once getting a message like that from a senior VP and it definitely rubbed me the wrong way. Too often, I hear stories of senior managers speaking or acting in a way to manipulate their employees. I also hear it happening with some entrepreneurs. It gets so bad that they create a mindset or narrative that is skewed or they emotionally scar their employees/clients. Don’t let them mould you. Let them develop you.

Be aware of your skills and value and work to develop your leadership.

That way, when you are ready, you can and will leave to do your own thing or your next big adventure. 

6. IS PERSONAL BRANDING IMPORTANT & HOW DOES IT APPLY TO ME?

Personal branding is important if:

– DISTINCTION: you want to set yourself apart from other competitors or peers
– ALIGNMENT: you want to have more clarity and focus on your business or career path
– REPUTATION: you want to manage your reputation and what people think or say about you
– THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: you want to establish yourself as an authority in your field or expertise
– OPPORTUNITY: you want to get more opportunities or leads in your space
– HAPPINESS: you want more fulfillment, joy, and impact in everything you do.
– PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & IMPACT: you want to invest in yourself to better yourself. Does this apply to you? It should.

THE ABOVE applies to everyone. That’s why personal branding is important! 

7. SPEND YOUR TIME MAKING PEOPLE FEEL GOOD

This is something I’ve been telling my kids.

No matter how smart, talented, strong, fast, or creative you are, people will care more for and remember how well you treat them. They remember when you deliver or create positive feelings, joy, fulfillment, and care into their lives, whether it was a brief moment or a series of many moments.

So be nice, be warm, be a good listener, be thoughtful, and be on a mission to serve others in a positive way. There is no reason to unnecessarily make people feel terrible.

This applies to work, business, relationships, and so much more. 

8. DO MORE, DO LESS, START DOING & STOP DOING…

We see this all the time in feedback or professional development reports. Here are some thoughts.

1) DO MORE: Cultivating relationships, offering gratitude, personal development, meditation & reflection, learning, playing, and asking for feedback.

2) DO LESS: Rants, self-doubt, crazy work hours, keeping your ideas to yourself.

3) START DOING: Own and manage your Personal Brand, learn and embrace failure, give back and mentor others, investing in the people around you.

4) STOP DOING: Feeling Lost, Stuck or Unfulfilled in your life, emotionally projecting at people needlessly, letting corporations manage your career. 

Learn more about Bobby’s talks: ‘Do You Know Your Value, Story, Legacy?‘ & ‘How Do You Create a Lasting Legacy?‘ and how his insights on personal development will help set you apart by contacting us.

You can also view more of our Personal Development speakers here.