Your personal brand is your resume
Sunday musings: Your personal brand is proof of your value in a world where traditional credentials no longer define success.
For most of my secondary school years, I was the kid teachers gave up on. The one who spent more time in detention than in class, the one who failed nearly every subject except English.
I was not just struggling academically, I was also struggling with my identity.
Hiding my queerness behind a tough exterior, I became a person I did not recognise. A bully. A troublemaker. A follower in the wrong crowd. It was easier to blend in with chaos than to stand out as myself.
The day before my N-Levels, my discipline master sat me down and said, “Don’t bother with O-Levels. You will fail. Do well enough in N-Levels to go straight to Higher Nitec in ITE.”
So I did.
I got an A in English, barely passed the rest, and made it to ITE. But even then, my grades weren’t enough for a local polytechnic.
I took a private diploma after National Service, believing a degree might be the key to success. By the time I finally enrolled in one, I was already deep into my career.
The reality? The textbooks were outdated. My real-world experience outpaced what they were teaching.
So I dropped out.
Yet today, I have built a career as a journalist, storyteller, and content creator. I have worked with CEOs, industry leaders, and decision-makers, people with every qualification I did not have.
Because in the real world, your personal brand is your resume.
Why traditional education failed me and many others
The education system is designed to produce obedient workers, not independent thinkers. It teaches conformity, not creativity.
For most of us, school is a blueprint for a path we never chose like study, graduate, get a job, work until retirement.
But what if that path does not fit?
What if success is not measured by a degree, but by the impact we make?
Most people do not realise they are assigned a purpose before they even know themselves. They are told what to study, what career to pursue, what success should look like. If you do not define your own path, someone else will define it for you.
That is how people wake up at 40, having climbed the corporate ladder, only to realise it was leaning against the wrong wall.
The new education system: Your personal brand
The traditional career path is obsolete. The world is shifting. Social media is the modern education system, and creators are the new teachers.
People complain that schools do not teach real-world skills, yet they dismiss online educators as “scams”. The truth is, digital education is rising because it is profitable, not just in revenue, but in the value it provides to those willing to learn.
Your career today is not just about what you know; it is about how you position yourself.
• Authenticity beats qualifications. People do not just buy services; they buy into people.
• Vulnerability builds trust. Sharing your struggles and failures makes you relatable.
• Storytelling drives connection. Facts inform, but stories inspire.
• Leadership is about impact, not titles. Influence is no longer tied to hierarchy; it’s tied to value.
I never became the model student. I never followed the script. But I found my way by building my own brand through telling stories, by showing up, by proving my worth through action rather than credentials.
Would I have done better in school if I had behaved differently? Maybe.
Would I change my journey? Not a chance.
Because I have learned that the most powerful thing you can do in life is not to follow someone else’s definition of success, but to write your own.
Whenever you are ready, I can help you elevate your brand, communication, and leadership presence in four ways. You will get my “The Ultimate Storytelling Playbook” ebook as well:
Storytelling and communication strategy – Develop clear, compelling narratives that drive engagement, build trust, and deliver measurable results. This service includes a 90-minute deep dive into your brand goals, a storytelling audit of your current content strategy, a custom communication blueprint, and a follow-up action plan with milestones and KPIs. Perfect for brands, startups, executives, and marketing teams looking to refine their messaging.
Leadership communication coaching – Gain confidence and clarity in public speaking, media interviews, and high-stakes communication moments. This includes monthly 1:1 coaching sessions, content refinement with script and speech reviews, audience engagement training, and on-call support for key speaking engagements. Ideal for leaders, founders, and executives preparing for public platforms.
LinkedIn personal branding strategy – Build an authoritative and engaging presence on LinkedIn. Get a 90-minute personal branding audit, monthly strategy sessions, profile optimisation, and a structured content framework to help you consistently show up and grow your influence. Designed for executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders looking to establish their voice.
Brand narrative workshops – Align your team with a unified brand voice and powerful storytelling principles. This full-day workshop (virtual or in-person) includes interactive team exercises, a custom workbook with templates and frameworks, and a follow-up debrief with an actionable communication plan. Best for marketing teams, leadership teams, and agencies looking to strengthen their brand storytelling.