A Day in My Life as a CEO & Thought Leader

As a CEO, how do you balance leading a company while also building a personal brand?

Many business leaders struggle with this question, believing that personal branding is a distraction from their core responsibilities. But in reality, your personal brand is one of the most powerful assets your company has.

The best CEOs understand this and use their brand strategically to direct attention, build trust, and drive business growth—not in a forced way, but by integrating their influence into their leadership.

1. Your Personal Brand as a Business Asset

Your brand isn’t separate from your company—it’s a tool that helps amplify your mission, attract opportunities, and build connections that might not happen otherwise.

For example, imagine walking for 24 hours to support a cause you care about. You share your journey, engage with people beyond your usual business circles, and through this seemingly unrelated action, you create valuable conversations that ultimately drive business back to your company.

This isn’t hypothetical—it’s exactly what happened when I used my personal brand to support a global cause while indirectly strengthening my business network.

2. Thought Leadership Creates Unexpected Business Opportunities

Being visible isn’t just about posting content—it’s about being actively engaged in real-world conversations that align with your values.

When you show up for causes, participate in industry events, or simply share valuable insights, you create an ecosystem where:

✅ People recognize your expertise

✅ Decision-makers trust your voice

✅ Your network expands organically

And when the time comes to make business decisions, people remember you.

3. CEOs Must Actively Direct Attention

One of the biggest advantages of a strong personal brand is that you control the narrative. Instead of waiting for attention, you actively guide it toward what matters most—whether that’s your company’s mission, an important initiative, or a new business opportunity.

Great leaders don’t just rely on PR teams to shape their image. They step up and use their voice to engage their audience authentically.

A CEO’s job isn’t just to run a company—it’s to lead conversations, build trust, and create meaningful relationships. The best way to do that? A strong personal brand that works in tandem with your business.

If you’re a business leader who hasn’t fully leveraged your personal brand yet, now is the time to start.

Highlights:

00:00 Balancing Company Leadership and Personal Branding

00:04 Leveraging Personal Brand for Company Causes

00:16 Innovative Fundraising Initiatives

00:26 Connecting Through Unique Experiences

00:35 Driving Business Through Personal Engagement

00:43 Integrating Personal Brand with Business Goals

Links:

Jens Equipment and Software overview: https://www.jensheitland.com/equipment

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Here are the ways to work with me:

Speaking: https://www.jensheitland.com/speaking

Leadership Skills Assessment: https://www.wearesucceed.com/

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YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2tLdutVh6b6nCBgWQ817eQ

Web: https://www.jensheitland.com/the-daily-hint

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-hint-with-jens-heitland/id1722930497

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T02uYPvcOrajPC6FgH64r?si=8aab1e7683204160&nd=1&dlsi=0f69c72af017454a