Building a Personal Brand in 2026 and Beyond

Woof. Are we all back?

Barely holding on after the weird limbo that is the week between Christmas and New Year?

Where time doesn’t exist, meals are 80% cheese, and somehow you’re watching Friends reruns like it’s 1999 again?

Yeah… it’s been real. But it’s time to get back in the saddle.

This year, instead of making (and breaking) resolutions (Here's looking at you, banjo I haven’t played since 2018), I’m opting for something better: 2026 is the year of reputation management. 👀

If your game plan is just “show up and hope for the best,” it might be time for a rebrand.

Because your personal brand already exists, and like it or not, you are the algorithm.

Here’s how to build one that actually works for you this year.

• Read the video transcript

  Every new year, I get the itch to reinvent myself. New year, new me. amirite?

  This  could look like starting new hobbies that I will 100% ditch two weeks after beginning them. But this year I am focusing on how I show up in my career. That's right. I'm talking about my personal brand.

  And before you roll your eyes, no ring lights are required. This isn't about becoming an influencer, it's about answering the question: what do people think when they hear my name?

   Here are five simple shifts you can make right now to uplevel your personal brand in 2026.

  • Get clear on your lane. Ask yourself, if a friend introduced me, what three things would I want them to say?  Use that as your filter for everything else.

  • Refresh your online presence.  Update your LinkedIn, swap in a warmer headshot, and make sure your profiles reflect who you are right now.

  • Pick your platforms.  Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be everywhere. Personally, I'm only here on LinkedIn because I know that's where I can show up and where my clients are.

  • Stop overthinking your voice.  Write like you talk. Authenticity beats perfection every time.

  • And finally, ask for feedback.  Friends and colleagues can help spot blind spots we would never be able to catch on our own.

  At its core, your personal brand is just your reputation; how people perceive your skills, your values, and even your personality.

  Tightening it up doesn't just make you look polished. It makes you feel more confident and opens doors you didn't even know were there. So tell me in the comments below, what is one thing that you can start this January to uplevel your personal brand in 2026?