Who the hell am I?

You’ve probably heard the saying that we all have three lives: a private one, a professional one and the one people tell about us. It makes sense at first. We keep some things to ourselves, some things for work and the rest is what others see.

But when it comes to personal branding — who you are and what you stand for — does that distinction actually hold up? I don’t think so.

We are one person. Of course, we don’t share everything at work (your weird niche hobbies or questionable karaoke choices might stay off LinkedIn), but the idea that we should completely separate our personal and professional selves? That’s outdated, and honestly, exhausting.

Personal branding isn’t just about what you do for a living. It’s about who you are — your motivations, skills, the way you make an impact. And if you don’t define that for yourself, as Tijen Onaran wisely said, others will do it for you.

The trap of “work you” vs. “real you”

For years, we were told to keep work and life separate. Show your professional side, play by the rules, don’t mix personal with business. But that doesn’t reflect how people actually build trust and relationships. We connect with people, not just skill sets.

That’s why authenticity is so important. But let’s be real, authenticity can be tricky in a work setting. Research even shows that being too authentic without considering context can backfire. Oversharing, being brutally honest in the wrong moment, or refusing to adapt can actually hurt credibility. The key is balancing realness with awareness.

The challenge of being a hybrid professional

Now, let’s throw another layer into the mix: what if you don’t fit neatly into a single professional box?

I know this struggle well. I started in logistics and supply chain management being a lecturer at a university of applied sciences. I still love the discipline of Logistics today, but I quickly found myself drawn to the what they call the “soft skill” side of work: communication, public speaking, intercultural dynamics… Also, I had the job title “lecturer” but in actuality I also worked as an entrepreneur within the organization. My portfolio was anything but streamlined and didn’t fit the mold of “teach for 20 hours and correct exams.”

Over time, I realized that I didn’t even want to focus on just one thing. I wanted to help people grow, whether that meant facilitating strategic events, coaching, teaching or moderating discussions.

My entrepreneurial journey with Noblahblah is just the same. In the beginning they asked me “what subjects do you want to train on?” I had no f**** idea. Why? Because how can I fit my hybrid interests and diverse experience in one training box. Fortunately, it turned out well and I can strive at what I love doing.

Yet, because of my diverse interests, my work at a university and now as a self-employed business person, my CV is anything but the linear one that many companies expect or would hire me for. Boxes, silos and check the boxes is the narrative.

And that created a problem: What the hell do I call myself?

Most job descriptions and LinkedIn profiles expect a clear identity. “Specialist in X.” “Expert in Y.” But what if you’re someone who thrives at the intersections? Someone who brings different disciplines together, rather than going all-in on just one?

Hybrid professionals exist — we just don’t always fit the traditional molds.

So, can a hybrid professional have a personal brand?

Yes. And in fact, we need to, because otherwise, people will struggle to understand how we fit into their world. The trick is crafting a brand that connects the dots between our different skills and makes it clear what value we bring.

Here’s how to do that:

1. Find your red thread. What’s the common theme in everything you do? For me, it’s helping people grow and connect. That’s my through-line, even if the formats vary.
2. Tell a story, not just a job title. Instead of forcing yourself into a single label, show how your diverse experience makes you uniquely valuable.
3. Own your narrative. If you don’t define your brand, others will. Be proactive in shaping how people see you, whether it’s in conversations, content or your online presence.
4. Be adaptable but intentional. Personal branding isn’t about locking yourself into one identity forever. It’s about clarity. Make it easy for people to get you and your value, even as your career evolves. 

Final thought: defining yourself before others do

I won’t lie. It’s taken me a while to embrace my own hybrid identity. For years, I felt like I had to pick a lane. Now, I see that my strength is in the mix of skills I bring. But to make that work, I have to be clear about my why and how all these pieces fit together.

My mission is to raise up people and help them grow. I love to connect people and create meaningful learning journeys. Thank goodness I can do all this as being an educator – or trainer – or moderator – or just the listening ear to my customers, friends and business partners.

The word “education” goes back to the Latin word “Educere” which means to lead out. That´s what I love.

I accompany people on their journeys. To help them achieve their objectives, enhance their customer journeys, for business development or for empowering our youth and talents of the future.

And that’s the real power of personal branding. It’s not about putting yourself in a box. It’s about making sure the story being told about you is the one you want to be told.

So, what’s the story people tell about you when you’re not in the room? And more importantly, does it match who you really are?