Personal Branding: How to Stand Out in Large Companies

Personal Branding for More Visibility, Authenticity, and Career Success

“I’m not like you, I’m different like you.”

Visibility has never been easier – whether on LinkedIn, in internal chats, or during online meetings, we’re constantly present.
And yet: especially in large organizations, many of us still feel invisible.

Personal branding often gets tossed around as a buzzword.
But what does it really mean? And how can you position yourself authentically – without pretending to be someone you’re not?

I’ve been there myself.
When I started at a global tech company over 20 years ago – with more than 100,000 employees – I thought: No one knows me here. My career will get lost in the crowd.

But things turned out differently.

What Is Personal Branding – and Why Does It Matter Inside a Company?

Personal branding is more than just a logo or a polished LinkedIn profile.
It’s about how others perceive you – your strengths, values, communication style, and the unique perspective you bring to your work. It’s about presenting a clear, credible image of who you are – both inside and outside the organization.

Because:

• Those who are visible get recommended for new projects or even new roles – think sponsors, not just mentors.
• Those with a clear profile are seen as experts.
• Those who show up authentically build trust – which is especially critical for leaders.

In large organizations, where it’s easy to feel like just another name in the system, personal branding helps you stand out.
It makes your contributions visible, builds trust, and opens up opportunities – from cross-functional projects to leadership roles.

But here’s the key: authentic personal branding doesn’t mean constantly promoting yourself.
It means showing up consistently, being clear about what you stand for, and creating connections that go beyond your job title.

5 Steps to Building an Authentic Personal Brand – for Greater Visibility at Work

Step 1: Who Are You, Really?

Your personal brand starts with self-awareness and reflections.
You can only position yourself clearly if you truly know who you are or how do you expect other to know who you are?

Reflection questions:

• What are my strengths and values?
• What topics genuinely excite me?
• What kind of feedback do I regularly receive?

Personal branding isn’t something external – it begins within.

Step 2: How Are You Perceived?

Many people have a distorted self-image, influenced by what they think others think of them.
This happens subconsciously – but you can make it visible.

“I’m not who I think I am. I’m not who you think I am. I am who I think you think I am.” – Charles Horton Cooley

The key to a strong personal brand is aligning how you see yourself with how others see you.
Actively seek feedback. It will show you how you actually come across – and where your profile can be sharpened.

Step 3: Work on Your Blind Spots

Blind spots are behaviors or traits you’re unaware of – but others notice immediately.

Identifying them isn’t easy, but it’s essential to building a consistent and authentic brand.
Tools like coaching, 360° feedback, or peer reflection can be invaluable here.

Step 4: Craft Your Personal Brand Narrative

NNow it’s time to turn your insights into something tangible – your personal story.
A great way to start is with your elevator pitch:

• Who are you?
• What do you do?
• What do you stand for?
• What makes you unique?

Pro tip: Avoid clichés and speak in your own voice. You don’t need to memorize perfect sentences – it’s about being clear on your core message.
That’s what makes it stick – even in a quick elevator conversation.

Step 5: Share Your Brand – with Natural Presence

Now it’s about showing up – not loudly or aggressively, but with authenticity and ease.

Good opportunities include:

• Project presentations
• Internal networking events
• LinkedIn posts
• Informal conversations with senior leaders

Use social media not for self-promotion, but as a stage for your ideas.n als Bühne für deine Haltung, Ideen und Werte. Selbstvermarktung darf menschlich sein. Aus meiner Sicht, muss sie das sogar.

Conclusion: Your Personal Brand Is Your Career Accelerator

When you know who you are, how you’re perceived, and what sets you apart, you become:

• more visible within your organization
• more confident in how you present yourself
• and more successful in shaping your career path

Personal branding isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s essential if you don’t want to be overlooked.
The clearer you are about who you are, the more confidently you’ll show up. unterzugehen. Je klarer du dir darüber bist, wer du bist, desto selbstbewusster wirst du auch.