“Even individuals need to develop a brand for themselves… Whatever area of expertise, you can take steps to make people think of you when they think of your field.” — Accelepoint Webzine
I still remember sitting in a meeting back in 2016, surrounded by senior executives, when the CEO said something that stopped me in my tracks: “In the face of the changes going on in our world, we need to start branding ourselves.”
As someone who has spent two decades in the ICT industry and dedicated the last several years to helping individuals shape their personal brands — that moment felt like a powerful confirmation of what I’ve believed and taught for years: Personal branding is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’.
It’s a necessity; not just for entrepreneurs or celebrities, but for professionals, teams, and entire organizations.
We’re now in an era where organisations thrive not only on infrastructure or strategy, but on the authentic expression of the people behind the scenes.
Whether it’s a network engineer, customer experience lead, software developer, or systems analyst — your people are your brand.
The more visible, confident, and value-driven they are, the stronger your organisation becomes. Global trends now point to what William Arruda described as “The Rise of the Social Employee” — professionals who are not only excellent at what they do but are also empowered to tell their story, amplify the brand message, and become trusted ambassadors both online and offline.
Forward-thinking organisations are beginning to invest in building their employees’ personal brands, not out of fear they’ll leave — but because they understand the multiplier effect of visibility, engagement, and purpose-driven performance.
So if you’re a leader worried about employees becoming “too known,” ask yourself this: ‘Would you rather lead people who hide their light… or people who shine so brightly that they uplift your whole brand while they’re with you?
What Happens When You Build People First
Here’s what I’ve learned from working across public and private sectors in ICT:
1. Everyone Wins, Everyone Grows
When professionals understand their strengths, clarify their values, and build a brand rooted in purpose, they don’t just grow — they show up differently.
They contribute more meaningfully, own their work, and align personal wins with team goals. Personal branding isn’t about ego; it’s about alignment. It helps the organisation, the customer, and the individual all win.
2. You Attract More, Compete Less
In a noisy world, people trust people. When your employees are visible, credible, and consistent, they become magnets — for opportunities, for clients, and for great talent. Instead of shouting louder, your brand earns trust through real people and real stories.
3. Trust Builds Culture, Culture Fuels Innovation
At the heart of every great brand is trust. When organisations empower their people, and when people believe they are seen, valued, and heard — they don’t just perform, they innovate.
And trust doesn’t mean perfection. It means authenticity, accountability, and alignment.
4. Legacy Becomes Shared
We talk a lot about legacy as founders or leaders. But legacy is built together.
When you help your team build meaningful careers, when you invest in their identity and voice, you leave behind more than systems you leave behind people who will carry the mission further, with heart and commitment.
If your dream ends when you leave, then it was never big enough.
Let’s Lead the Change
Imagine a tech industry where people are not just building solutions; but building their voice.
Where organisations are not just solving problems, but creating ecosystems of impact. Where personal branding is not a threat, but a tool for long-term success, visibility, and collective growth.
That’s the world that will last and last. So, here’s my challenge to you; whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, team lead, or rising professional: Invest in the harnessing and nurturing the value and voice of your people so you can grow together and leave a workplace; a thriving Africa, and world better than you met it.
