So, ah, I constantly have people in my workplace talk to me about building my brand within the organisation... which means they want more people to know about me and know what I bring to the table to make it easier to get promotions or job opportunities but... what if I don't want to be a brand... just a dude doing some stuff for money so I can eat?
I get what you mean, I feel the same, just let me do my thing, get paid and bugger off home. But here's the thing, being like that is a brand in itself, and a person can become known for it. What we do builds our own personal brand no matter what; *reliable and dependable? * That's part of a person's brand. Lazy with a bad attitude? That's part of the brand. Of course, that doesn't mean one needs to get out there and self-promote like a glamour-boy, that's a different sort of brand called wanker.
I like to be known as dependable, helpful, knowledgeable, personable, hard working, the guy who never quits, and so many other things and each makes up my brand (perception) that other people see. Ask my partner and she'll describe my brand differently from my boss, but there's always similarities. I guess it comes down to being one's true and best version and allowing others to see, or not see, what they wish.