How to Be Vulnerable While Building Your Professional Brand Image

How do you build an authentic brand identity while staying professional? How can you be vulnerable while discussing important but uncomfortable topics?

In this episode of Raw with Uma, my guest, Nicole, is an HR leader and DEI advocate from the Philippines. Nicole faced a decade-long battle with depression and took nine years before she felt ready to open up and share her story. She realized that her vulnerability didn’t just help her heal—it also helped others find hope, connect, and begin their own healing journeys.

We discuss what it takes to build a personal brand in a male-dominated industry, and how to balance vulnerability with maintaining a professional image.

Later, we hear from my friend Rishi, a two-Michelin-starred chef and the owner of Cloudstreet. He shares his thoughts on cultural authenticity and his journey towards self-acceptance. He shares his story, facing discrimination as a minority and how it motivated him to be the best, and how stopping the "fight" and learning to float helped him find contentment and success.

We tackle questions like:

• How can you be vulnerable while protecting your professional image?

• Can you avoid negative pushback when being “too raw”?  

• What’s the key to choosing the right time to share your story?

• How do you overcome societal biases while staying true to yourself?

• Why is knowing your audience crucial for building your personal brand?

Here is What We Talk About: 

• Authenticity with Boundaries: It’s important to share genuine experiences but maintain certain boundaries. Being vulnerable does not mean sharing every aspect of your personal life. Choose stories that align with your professional identity and message, ensuring they provide value to your audience. This approach keeps your content authentic without compromising professionalism.

• Tie It Back to the Company: When sharing personal stories, always connect it to a broader professional context or lesson. Nicole spoke about her mental health journey, but tied it to how overcoming those challenges impacted her professional growth and ability to lead. This helps position your vulnerability as a valuable lesson rather than just personal exposure.

• Timing and Purpose Matter: Choosing when and why to share vulnerable content is crucial. Both Nicole and Rishi emphasized the importance of timing—waiting until they were comfortable and confident in sharing. Consider whether your vulnerability serves a purpose, such as providing insight, supporting others, or sparking meaningful discussion. If the timing or purpose isn’t right, it may be better to hold off.

• Balance Vulnerability with Solutions or Takeaways: Vulnerability is most impactful when paired with solutions or constructive takeaways. Sharing a challenge you overcame or a lesson learned can inspire others and demonstrate resilience. Ending with insights or actionable advice transforms a personal struggle into a professional learning opportunity. 

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