Diving Deeper Into Your Personal Brand: The Lessons Manufacturing Leaders Can Learn from Shark Diving
Would you go swimming with sharks? For many people, shark diving might sound like a literal nightmare. But for recent Mindfulness Manufacturing podcast guest Kenneth “Shark” Kinney, it’s a favorite hobby. Shark is a speaker and marketing specialist who uses his experiences with shark diving to help professionals find fearless, curiosity-driven ways to grow and expand their personal brand. In his podcast, he offers insights manufacturing leaders can use to get a “shark’s perspective” and dive deeper into their brand . . . no real sharks required!
Leadership and Shark Diving Have More in Common Than You Think
While shark diving might sound scary, Shark emphasizes that successful shark diving mainly requires three key tools:
- Fearlessness
- Curiosity
- Respect
If a shark diver enters the water with fearless, curiosity, and respect on their mind, they’re far more likely to have an exhilarating experience. The same can be said about manufacturing leaders. If you enter the floor every day ready to hear from other perspectives, approach tough challenges, and respect others, you’re setting yourself up for a positive, productive day.
Whether You’re Dealing with Sharks or Social Media, Stay Fearless
One major topic of my podcast with Shark was social media and how leaders can use it to showcase their brand and expand their connections. When it comes to branding through social media, Shark’s best tip was to embrace the fact that your team will talk about your organization—and even you—on social media. As a leader, it can be nerve-wracking to know your employees use social media. You might worry they’ll post negative things about you, or that they’ll form connections with other companies and leave your team. But you don’t have to be afraid of possibilities like these, if you always put your best foot forward as a leader. Instead of worrying about what your team is saying on social media, why not put that effort in making sure they’ll speak well of you, your leadership, and your organization?
Dive Deeper Into Your Real Brand
If you want to expand your brand, it takes curiosity! For example, if you want to support a charity to connect with your local community, take some time to think about your values and goals. Ask your team what causes inspire or engage them and choose a charity that really reflects your organization—not just something that looks good. Similarly, get to know the real voices behind your team. Use your actual team members to promote your brand, rather than relying on stock images. By staying curious and taking the time to truly connect, you’ll find dozens of creative, authentic ways to grow your brand and spark real change in your organization.
Learn More on the Podcast
To hear more on leadership, branding, and shark diving from Kenneth “Shark Kinney,” listen to his Mindfulness Manufacturing episode here.
At Manufacturing Greatness, Trevor Blondeel works with manufacturers to connect the top to the shop floor. If you’re ready to improve your own organization, contact Trevor to learn how Manufacturing Greatness can help you build stronger leaders and develop a dynamic, high-performing workplace.