The Red Carpet Rules of Personal Branding
How to build a personal brand that commands the spotlight
Picture this: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan steps out of the car, and the Croisette comes alive. The camera flashes aren’t just capturing a look—they’re witnessing a legacy. This is her 22nd appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. Two decades of shifting fashion, evolving roles, changing industry landscapes—and she still draws attention with quiet confidence and unmistakable presence.
She doesn’t rush. She doesn’t perform. She simply arrives with the kind of assurance that comes from knowing exactly who she is and what she represents.
Aishwarya’s Cannes journey isn’t built on a single moment—it’s built on consistency, reinvention, and an enduring sense of self. Her brand hasn’t stayed the same. It’s grown, adapted, and deepened over time. And that’s what keeps people watching.
Now here’s the part that might make you uncomfortable: Your LinkedIn profile, your keynote stage, your podcast interview—that’s your red carpet. And while some leaders show up with Aishwarya-level intention, most are still winging it, unsure of what they stand for or how they want to be seen.
Here's what's fascinating about observing successful leaders: They've mastered the art of strategy, negotiation, and execution in their professional fields. They can interpret market trends, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and achieve results under pressure. These are the same strategic thinking skills that foster a magnetic personal presence. ✨
The interesting part? Many of these leaders haven't yet connected the dots between their professional mastery and their brand presence. (I have written about creating an authentic personal brand in 2025 here.) It's not that they lack the capability—it's that they haven't applied the same intentional approach to how they show up in the world.
The red carpet moment is always happening, whether you're ready or not.
Rule #1: Show Up Like You Mean It
Cannes stars don’t stroll in hoping for the best—they arrive with clarity. They know why they’re there, what story they’re telling, and how they want to be remembered.
That same clarity is what separates leaders who just “have a LinkedIn” from those who lead industries with their presence. The opportunity isn’t about being louder—it’s about being deliberate.
This is where your professional strategy and personal visibility intersect. You already know how to drive outcomes, lead teams, and navigate complexity. Now, apply that same strategic intent to how you show up: What do you want to be known for? Who needs to hear from you—and why?
When your presence is intentional, it becomes unforgettable.
Rule #2: Dress the Part (Visually & Verbally)
At Cannes, style and substance walk hand in hand. The best-dressed stars aren’t just showcasing fashion—they’re extending their brand. A filmmaker might wear a sharp, minimalist look to mirror the precision of their storytelling. A bold new voice might arrive in avant-garde couture to signal disruption.
In the professional world, your “wardrobe” is made of words, visuals, and tone. Your voice—whether it’s on LinkedIn, in an email, or on stage—should reflect your identity just as clearly as your résumé does. Think of it as branding, not dressing up.
This isn’t about choosing between being polished or being real. It’s about aligning what you say, how you say it, and how you show up—so that all of it points back to the same core message.
Find the voice that fits you. Maybe it’s sharply analytical. Maybe it’s quietly powerful. Maybe it’s irreverently insightful. Just make sure it’s unmistakably yours—and then wear it everywhere.
Rule #3: Own the Flashbulb
Watch how seasoned Cannes veterans handle the press gauntlet. They don't react to questions—they respond to them. They've anticipated what reporters will ask and crafted responses that feel spontaneous but deliver their key messages perfectly.
This is where the most successful thought leaders excel. They're proactive rather than reactive. They've developed what I call "prepared spontaneity"—being so clear on their core messages that they can adapt them to any context while maintaining their authentic voice.
The sweet spot is having complete clarity about your core value and being able to articulate it authentically in any context. When you know your key messages inside out, every conversation becomes an opportunity to reinforce what you stand for. 🌟
The sweet spot is having such clarity about your core value that you can share it authentically in any setting, whether that's a podcast interview, a keynote stage, or a LinkedIn post.
Rule #4: Build Buzz Before You Arrive
Films don't just show up at Cannes and hope for the best. They build anticipation with trailers, teasers, strategic leaks, and carefully orchestrated PR campaigns. By the time the stars walk the red carpet, the audience is already invested in the story.
The most successful personal brands understand that timing matters. They don't wait until they need something to start building relationships and sharing value. Instead, they consistently contribute to conversations in their field, offering insights and perspectives that help others think differently.
This steady presence builds familiarity and trust over time. So when the right opportunity comes along, you’re not introducing yourself—you’re already recognized and respected.
Rule #5: Let Your Work Speak, But Frame the Narrative
Even award-winning films have press kits. The story behind the story is just as important as the story itself. Journalists need context, background, and compelling angles to write about your work.
“The story behind the story is just as important as the story itself.”
Similarly, your achievements need framing. The most compelling personal brands don't just list what they've done—they help people understand why it matters and how it connects to bigger trends or problems their audience cares about.
Your brand isn't just what you've done—it's what you've done, why it matters, and what it suggests about what you'll do next. You need stories that help people understand not just your capabilities, but your impact.
The key is finding your unique angle—the perspective or approach that makes your work memorable and meaningful to your audience. What's the story that only you can tell? What lens do you bring that others miss?
Your Brand is Already on the Red Carpet ✨
Here's the exciting truth: You already have a personal brand. Every email you send, every meeting you lead, every comment you make on LinkedIn—it's all contributing to how people see you and remember you.
The opportunity isn't to create a personal brand from scratch. It's to become more intentional about the one that already exists. To align your external presence with your internal expertise. To show up with the same strategic thinking you bring to everything else you do. 🌟(You can check out some book recommendations on personal branding here.)
Like those Cannes stars, you can choose to approach every appearance as an opportunity, every interaction as a chance to reinforce the narrative you want people to remember about you.
The camera flashes are already going off. The question is: Are you ready to own your spotlight? 📸✨
What's your next red carpet moment? Maybe it's updating your LinkedIn profile, preparing for a keynote, or launching that podcast you've been thinking about. Whatever it is, approach it with the same intentionality as a Cannes star.