Maha Abu Al-Ainain, an expert in strategic communication and author of the book "7 Rules of Self-Affirmation," suggests that interacting with someone is only beneficial when you need something from them, which seems like a simple matter, easily avoided by successful people. In this regard, it is never too early or too late to start working on your personal brand.
If your beginner engages a new person, kindly help them master the basics of their role; exceeding the minimum expectations shows your commitment to the success of the company and colleagues. Strengthening key relationships is a good way to enhance your reputation.
Maha Abu Al-Ainain states: "I realized early the importance of building strong relationships. Often, progress in your professional life boils down to one thing: your reputation. Therefore, I have invested my entire life in it, in my career, which has lasted for over 30 years, and I continue to do this every day." It is necessary to believe that you interact with others not just for your benefit; it creates trust and established contacts.
Maha Abu Al-Ainain, former regional director at Google and founder and director of the international communications company Digital and Savvy, believes that a professional reputation can be built in three steps: do great work, provide value, and strengthen key relationships. She asserts: "Reputation is like currency; it is the only thing you have, and I want you to invest in it... Without a personal brand, you won't be able to achieve anything."
Maha Abu Al-Ainain started her career as a planning manager at General Mills in Minneapolis, before moving to Egypt and Dubai, where she took the position of regional director at several companies. In 2014, she founded Digital and Savvy, which works with major brands like Netflix and Uber. She says: "Instead of trying to promote myself, I decided to act really well and let that speak for my qualities: reliable, result-oriented, proactive, strategic... I realized that if I can achieve this through my work, that will be the best way to let people know who I am and what I do."
To add value in the workplace, Maha Abu Al-Ainain suggests the following four principles: be consistent in your behavior, offer solutions to problems, share knowledge with others, support ideas with facts to enhance your credibility, and anticipate the needs of your director and colleagues. If you know that your colleague is tired, for instance, think about suggesting they delegate one or two tasks.
