How can you build a personal brand as an ESG expert in Sustainability?

Defining your Niche is crucial in the overall scheme of things. As one who have carved a niche in leading young people towards tech and sustainability efforts, I have seen this work like fire🔥 . Now, I am reaping the rewards of these efforts.

In the vast realm of ESG, carving out a niche is akin to laying the foundation for a skyscraper of thought leadership. Adopt the DIY approach. You're not just selecting a topic; you're committing to becoming its beacon. Start by immersing yourself in your chosen area, climate change, human rights, or corporate governance. Dive deep into research, attend seminars, and engage in discussions. As you gather knowledge, share it. Write articles, host webinars, and create content that resonates with your audience. Remember, thought leadership isn't just about expertise; it's about passion, dedication, and the drive to make a difference. Over time, you’ll not only establish yourself as an authority but also inspire others to join you in.

Sounds simple, but honestly defining a niche for me has been through trial and error. It's a never-ending process when you learn something new every day, your interests may change drastically. I would suggest to start reading and following other experts, start posting your genuine thoughts, and don't concentrate on reactions and likes, just keep expressing your opinion and your audience will find you.

With over 25k followers here on Linkedin, I am confident that I have a varied experience on how much creating an online presence is sacrosanct and beneficial. One of the strategies that have worked for me is the utilization of design thinking in setting up my online presence. This way, I am tapping into the mind of my audience, reintegrating and designing their thinking process so I can optimize my presence here on this platform. Meanwhile, this same method can be transferred in creating an ESG personal brand for any one who cares about it✨

3 ways I've approached building a personal brand as an ESG expert: 1) Identify an ESG niche - mine is climate change from an investor's perspective. 2) Share the challenges in my ESG integration journey - this brings to life the application aspect of ESG, which many are still learning to do. 3) Convey ESG concepts in my personal voice -- this mean using analogies, metaphors or simple layperson language to make ESG more accessible.

Not to forget LinkedIn. A place where professional networks and connections are established. Your network is your net worth. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, ask questions, learn and re-learn, always thinking about how you can add value to others.

Engaging with your audience cannot be overemphasized as this is the perfect way to make them develop shared feeling and empathy which expedite the message your are sharing to them. So, In the journey to creating a personal brand as an ESG expert, community is everything✨

Sometimes I get ahead of myself... I answered this question earlier... However, what I would say is that your online presence is defined by the company you keep and the contributions you make!

Engaging with your ESG community is vital for growth and learning. Building meaningful relationships, sharing ideas, and seeking guidance from peers and mentors can enhance your journey as an ESG expert. It's a two-way street where you both give and receive, creating a supportive ecosystem for your professional development.

It might be quite an herculean task to showcase your work CONSISTENTLY. However, I believe a lot of people aren’t doing this because they haven’t taken it as a priority and that’s why they are slow to making it an habit. In my view, this is one of the ways to show credibility and magnetize diverse opportunities.

Showcasing your impact as an ESG expert is not about bragging, but about inspiring and educating others. Sharing your journey, including challenges and successes, can motivate and guide aspiring experts. It's a way to demonstrate the real-world relevance and effectiveness of ESG expertise.

If you feel you are making a difference or have learned something that has helped you, share it! Others are looking for how to improve and progress so sharing your wins and learnings will help others. Also identify your own blind spots and ask for others to help.

I agree to the fact that it is important to keep the learning steady through mentorship, receiving feedbacks, coaching, reading books and anything related. It can be easy to feel complacent about one’s ability, albeit, I advise people to go out of their community and challenge themselves with the outstanding works of others if they are local champions in their environment. This way, they can stay motivated to keep developing themselves.

Keep learning absolutely but in a wide variety of topics: you cannot possibly become an ESG expert without understanding the fundamental concepts that drive human beings. Study philosophy and culture and keep your mind open

Earn industry-recognized certifications to add credibility to your expertise. If you are interested in ESG Investing, consider the CFA Institute in ESG Investing and CESGA from EFFAS. For a more niche focus on Climate Investing, consider the CFA UK's Certificate in Climate & Investing. If you specialize in climate risk, consider the Sustainability & Climate Risk (SCR) certificate from GARP, as well as the Certificate in Climate Risk jointly offered by CISI, CBI, and CII. If your focus is on sustainability accounting/reporting, look into the Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) credential from the IFRS Foundation (previously offered under SASB) and the GRI's Certified Sustainability Professional.

In a world where sustainability and ESG are becoming increasingly important, each of us can play a part in driving positive change. By combining individual efforts with collective action, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Let's seize this opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

In the realm of personal branding in sustainability, it's crucial to avoid extremes. While there's a temptation to rage against inaction, and another to present oneself as perfect, a balanced approach of critical empathy and humility is key. This means understanding the challenges people face in adopting sustainable practices, while also acknowledging our own journey and learning from mistakes. It fosters a more constructive and relatable path towards positive change.

If it's in your capacity, consider hiring professional help that knows how to most efficiently get your message across. Personal branding does not come easy to a lot of leaders. If you're already an ESG expert, chances are you are mostly focused on ESG, and not watching closely to digital platform algorithm changes, nor are you likely privy to the best practices for SEO or visual branding. Having a professional digital marketer and brand strategist on your team can mean the difference between you throwing spaghetti at the wall and you calmly watching leads come your way.