Authenticity Archives

331: How Self-Leadership Shapes Your Personal Brand

What if the only thing standing between you and stronger leadership is the way you see and lead yourself? In this conversation, Ben Albert shares how losing his job during the pandemic became the catalyst for his growth as an entrepreneur and podcaster.

We explore why self-leadership matters, especially when no one else is steering the ship, and how habits, relationships, and honest feedback can help you grow. Ben also explains how self-care, personal branding, and seeking out mentors can transform your impact on others and yourself.

We also discuss overcoming fears, turning weaknesses into strengths, and the power of empathy and curiosity in personal development. Ben describes building a supportive community of growth-minded leaders and why genuine connections are the foundation of lasting success. Whether you’re looking to lead more effectively or become a better version of yourself, you’ll find practical ideas and inspiration in this episode.

Ben hosts a network of 5 podcasts called “Real Business Connections,” ranked in the top 1% globally. He also runs a massively successful marketing firm, Balbert Marketing. Ben is on a mission to move the needle on one million lives, one conversation at a time.

You’ll discover:

How self-leadership can empower you during times of uncertainty and change.
The role of self-care in supporting both personal growth and your ability to lead others.
Why personal branding matters and how to shape the way others perceive you.
Practical ideas for overcoming fears and turning past weaknesses into strengths.
The benefits of joining a growth-minded community for networking and ongoing development.

Watch the episode:

Connect with Ben

Ben’s Website

Real Business Connections

Related Podcast Episodes

076: Create a Powerful Personal Brand for Your Business

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Amazon

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Pandora

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on YouTube

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on iheartradio

Leader-team communication and character skills

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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Connect with Your Team

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell

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Peer Coaching Made Simple

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell

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328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

Curious how LinkedIn can actually help you build real business relationships—not just rack up connections? In this episode, LinkedIn expert Bill McCormick shares his journey from traditional sales to becoming a trusted advisor on the platform. Bill reveals why authenticity, curiosity, and genuine engagement are the keys to standing out and building trust, whether you’re networking, recruiting, or growing your business.

We dive into practical tips for optimizing your profile, engaging with others in a meaningful way, and using LinkedIn’s premium features (like Sales Navigator) to your advantage. Bill also shares his thoughts on AI and automation, and why the human touch still matters most. If you want to make LinkedIn work for you—without feeling salesy or inauthentic—this episode is packed with actionable advice you can use right away.

Bill is the Founder of Digi-Sales, a Digital Selling training company, and Digi-Sales Academy, an online video training platform where he shares his passion for helping professionals leverage the power of LinkedIn. Bill first started using digital sales techniques after he and his wife, Sue, started their own promotional product business.
By using social platforms, especially LinkedIn, they were able to build a very successful business. Bill then began to help other business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals learn how to use LinkedIn to increase sales.

Bill has conducted training for companies worldwide and specializes in helping to ‘make LinkedIn Human’ – explaining the platform in easy-to-understand ways, and recently launched the All Selling Is Social Podcast.