Since I was a little boy, I have been fascinated by Spanish proverbs. They are a well of really impressive wisdom. I like to use proverbs in my communication because they help to better convey many ideas and concepts. I have also realized that the proverbs are very rich in ideas and concepts related to the concept of personal branding. Below I share with you some Spanish proverbs that, although they were not originally focused on the concept of “personal branding”, can be applied to this concept, since they talk about reputation, character, and the perception that others have of oneself.
- “Tell me who you hang out with, and I’ll tell you who you are.” This proverb reflects the importance of connections and associations in personal perception. People judge you by the people you surround yourself with. I wrote about the importance of the people around you in your personal and professional development in the post “Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you will become”.
- “Good cloth is sold in the ark.” Although it traditionally means that quality stands out for itself, in the context of personal branding, it suggests that if you are valuable, you will be recognized, even if you don’t promote yourself much. It reinforces the idea that personal branding is not just about how you sell yourself or how you promote yourself; it is mostly about who you are.
- “Actions speak louder than words.” In building a personal brand, what you do is more important than what you say.
- “What you sow, you shall reap.” This saying reflects the idea that today’s efforts and actions will determine tomorrow’s results, which is crucial to building a good personal brand. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The future depends on what you do today.”
- “First impressions count.” This is fundamental to personal branding. The initial impression you make on others will be difficult to change. As Oscar Wilde said, “There is never a second chance for a first impression.”
- “Each man is the master of his silence and slave of his words.” In the world of personal branding, this saying reminds us that what you say can influence how you are perceived, and therefore, it is always a good idea to measure your words well.
- “Whoever embraces too much, squeezes little.” It reflects the importance of focusing on what you are good at and not trying to be everything to everyone. A strong personal brand is built on specialization. Narrowing down and defining your value proposition well is essential to developing a powerful personal brand.
- “The costume does not make the monk.” The true essence of a person is not in their external appearance, but in their actions and values, which is essential in building an authentic personal brand.
These sayings, although classic, are easily applicable to the modern idea of personal branding, as they emphasize authenticity, actions, and consistency in how you present yourself to the world.
I end with a quote that I love and perfectly sums up the essence of personal branding. It is a quote that appears in possibly the best book in Spanish literarure, “Don Quixote de la Mancha” and that I often use in my lectures and classes. In a passage from the book, the faithful squire Sancho Panza says,
“As I hear my lord say, a good name is worth more than great riches.”
