How do you strike a balance between showcasing your personality and maintaining professionalism in your personal brand? We asked industry experts to share one guideline they follow. Here are their insights on how to effectively blend authenticity with business acumen.
- Build Trust Through Mindset, Not Moods
- Lead with Value, Anchor with Voice
- Be Authentically You in Service of Others
- Curate a Consistent Character for Your Audience
- Share Strategically to Build Trust
- Align Stories with Your Brand’s Value
- Speak Authentically with Intention and Respect
- Balance Personality with Professional Expertise
- Use Your Voice to Convey Lived Experience
- Blend Static Credibility with Dynamic Personality
- Apply the 80/20 Rule for Authentic Accessibility
- Present Your Authentic Self with Intentionality
- Set Clear Boundaries for Personal Sharing
- Anchor Your Brand in Core Values
- Combine Preparedness with Authenticity for Success
- Be Authentic with Intention and Value
- Balance Chaotic Good with Business Legitimacy
- Communicate Value with Authenticity and Intent
18 Tips for Balancing Personality and Professionalism
Build Trust Through Mindset, Not Moods
What I really think is that the best personal brands are built on trust, not performance. So the balance between personality and professionalism is not about tone; it is about intent. I show up with my opinions, not my emotions. That is the line I never cross.
One rule I always follow is this: show your mindset, not your moods. I will share a lesson from a tough client situation or a decision I made during a brand sprint, but I will not post just to vent or react. That way, people see how I think, not just how I feel.
When you lead with clarity and keep your message audience-first, your personality becomes an asset, not a distraction. Your voice builds connection, but your discipline earns respect. That is the brand people remember and trust.
Sahil Gandhi
Co-Founder & CMO, Eyda Homes
Lead with Value, Anchor with Voice
I strive to lead with value and anchor with voice. I always ensure that what I’m sharing—whether it’s a personal insight, a behind-the-scenes moment, or a founder tip—serves a purpose for my audience first.
Then, I layer in personality through tone, visuals, and real-life context. Whether talking about motherhood, running a business, or digital strategy, I focus on what my audience can take away, but I share it through my lens. That’s what makes a brand feel authentic, not overly curated.
The result? Content that feels trustworthy, human, and clear—because professionalism isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent, intentional, and relatable while still building credibility.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
Be Authentically You in Service of Others
It’s all about authenticity. Be YOU in service of OTHERS. It’s okay to be quirky (let your freak flag fly!), it’s good to be honest, and it’s imperative to be human—approachable, relatable, and flexible as the needs of different audiences (in different moments) evolve and change. In showcasing your personality and maintaining professionalism in your personal brand, it’s important to balance humility with confidence. If you wrote a bestselling book, toot your own horn. If you made a mistake, own it. If you’re the most qualified expert on a particular topic and a leading authority in a certain industry, say so.
Far too many public figures and emerging leaders make themselves too small, too “polished,” too much a part of the crowd, when what the world really needs are leaders who aren’t afraid to stumble (and then apologize and make it right), who are willing to giggle or cry during public appearances (e.g., on stage or during a media interview), and who are conversational in tone and compassionate in demeanor. And yes, the way you dress or style your hair—or the colorful, irreverent way you speak—is welcome. There’s nothing more important than living your truth at work and in the world at large.
You have a story—all the ways in which you have “been there and done that”—and it should be part of your brand. People want to KNOW you, so you should show them the real you. Stakeholders, when remembering or recommending you, will inevitably say, “She was the author who…” or, “He was the job candidate who…” or, “They were the consultant who…” Help people fill in the blank. What makes you special, unique, and different?
When people ask me about what I do for a living, I could simply say that I’m a writer and a market researcher, with expertise in higher education and healthcare. But it’s more interesting and effective to say that I’m “part word-nerd, part data-junkie” and that I’m an acclaimed marketing expert best known for my books “Think Like a Marketer” and “Commencement.” I’m the woman who “wrote that book heralded by Forbes as higher education’s ‘indispensable touchpoint.'”
Who are YOU? Brag a little; set yourself apart from the crowd; own your strengths and your Achilles heels. And never, ever forget that people hire and gravitate to people whose humanity is on full display. Have opinions about what’s happening around you, have the integrity to stand up for what you believe in, and never, ever let them forget your name.
Kate Colbert
Author of “Commencement: the Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education” & “Think Like a Marketer: How a Shift in Mindset Can Change Everything for Your Business” | Marketer | Speaker | Researcher | Communications Coach | Higher-Education Futurist, Silver Tree Communications
Curate a Consistent Character for Your Audience
As the CEO of a UI/UX and growth marketing company, I’ve found that people overthink personal branding. Here’s my one rule: authenticity isn’t about sharing everything—it’s about consistency in what you choose to reveal.
Social media demands social behavior, not a comprehensive personality download. I deliberately amplify certain aspects of who I am (my strategic thinking and occasional irreverence) while downplaying others (my obsession with process documentation isn’t exactly LinkedIn gold).
We ran an experiment tracking engagement across our leadership team’s content. Posts showcasing personality-driven takes on industry trends outperformed generic professional content by 420%. The key wasn’t being provocative—it was being consistent with the specific traits each person had established as their “character.”
Think of it like this: Marvel doesn’t show every aspect of Iron Man’s personality—they focus on the traits that serve the story. Your personal brand is simply a character based on your real self, curated for the audience you want to attract.
My advice? Pick 2-3 authentic traits that create value for your audience, then consistently express them. For me, it’s strategic insight with a dash of irreverence. I’m far more complex in real life, but my audience doesn’t need my entire personality—just the parts that help them solve their problems while creating a memorable impression.
Personal branding isn’t about being comprehensive—it’s about being consistent with the specific traits your audience values.
Shantanu Pandey
Founder & CEO, Tenet
Share Strategically to Build Trust
The way I see it: people work with people. My personality is part of what makes my brand different—it’s a genuine point of difference. And if I try to water that down, I’m actually harming my brand, not helping it.
The key for me is picking and choosing which parts of my life I share. I don’t post personal photos of my family, and I stick to a few “on-brand” interests that feel natural to talk about. It’s not about sharing everything—it’s about showing up with the same energy people would experience if they worked with me in real life. That way, I’m staying true to myself and maintaining a level of professionalism that builds trust.
Ruth Lever
Creative Director, Rule Design
Align Stories with Your Brand’s Value
I believe the best personal brands are built at the intersection of authenticity and clarity. You don’t have to choose between being yourself and being professional. You just have to be strategic about which parts of yourself you put forward. For me, the rule is this: every story or opinion I share must align with the value I want my brand to represent, whether that’s leadership, integrity, or growth.
One guideline I follow religiously is the “Dinner Table Rule.” If I wouldn’t say it in front of a mix of clients, colleagues, and mentors at a dinner table, I don’t post it. That keeps my tone confident but respectful, personal but never off-brand. I’ve talked about burnout, self-doubt, and lessons from failure, but always through the lens of what others can take away, not just venting.
So if you want that balance, ask yourself, “Is this adding value or just adding noise?” Let your personality serve your message, not compete with it. That’s where real influence comes from.
Vaibhav Kishnani
Founder & CEO, Content-Whale
Speak Authentically with Intention and Respect
The balance comes from knowing your tone before you hit publish. I ask myself, “Would I say this out loud in a room full of people I respect?” If the answer feels true, I go with it. Personality works best when it brings warmth or clarity without taking attention away from the message. One simple guideline I follow is to speak from experience and stay steady with the intention. That keeps the brand honest and easy to trust.
Bhavik Sarkhedi
Founder & Content Lead, Ohh My Brand
Balance Personality with Professional Expertise
Finding that sweet spot between showcasing personality and upholding professionalism in a personal brand is a nuanced but crucial endeavor. It’s about allowing your authentic self to shine through in a way that builds connection and trust, while still conveying competence and credibility within your field. The goal isn’t to be a rigid, corporate persona, nor is it to be overly casual or unprofessional. It’s about humanizing your expertise.
One guideline I consistently adhere to is to always ensure my communication aligns with my core values and professional expertise. This acts as a filter for how I express my personality. For instance, while I might share anecdotes or use a more conversational tone to make my content relatable, these expressions always circle back to my knowledge and insights within my area of focus. My humor or personal stories serve to illustrate a point or build rapport, not to distract from my professional message. By grounding my personality in my core values and expertise, I can be authentic and engaging without compromising the professional image I aim to project.
Michael Gargiulo
Founder, CEO, VPN.com
Use Your Voice to Convey Lived Experience
I show personality by speaking with rhythm and vulnerability, but I back everything with earned insight. People don’t just want a vibe; they want clarity. So I let my voice be casual, but my content is sharp. You can be relaxed without being vague. That’s where resonance truly lives.
My core rule is: “Would I say this in person?” If it sounds weird aloud, I revise. That test weeds out robotic or overly performative content. It keeps me grounded and human every time. And it’s why my content feels lived-in, not scripted. That voice becomes your true brand signature.
Jason Hennessey
CEO, Hennessey Digital
Blend Static Credibility with Dynamic Personality
GREAT topic, something I’ve personally struggled with for years. Getting the balance right between personality and professionalism in your personal brand can be tricky. It’s tough to let your genuine self show online through just website text or emails without coming across as unprofessional or even boastful. You need people to see you’re credible, but also relatable.
This isn’t just based on my path through fields like tech and media. For over a decade, I’ve been in the trenches helping entrepreneurs and startup CEOs build their personal brands. Time and again, I’ve seen how critical—and challenging—it is to mix professional authority with real personality online effectively.
So, the main guideline I follow and advise is pretty straightforward: Use static content for credibility, and dynamic media for personality. Let your LinkedIn profile, website bio, resume, and other materials clearly outline your skills, experience, and accomplishments—that builds your professional foundation. Then, bring in dynamic content like video clips (talking to the camera, interviews, presentations) or audio from podcasts. That’s where your actual personality, your energy, and how you communicate really come through. It lets people connect with you on a more human level, while the format keeps it professional. This mix helps ensure people see both your competence and who you really are.
Germán Ceballos
Head of Marketing (Phd), AwardFares
Apply the 80/20 Rule for Authentic Accessibility
I follow the “80/20 Authentic Accessibility Rule”—80% of content stays professionally focused while 20% reveals carefully chosen personal moments that humanize my brand and build genuine connections.
How it works in practice:
1. Share a behind-the-scenes photo of desk chaos while solving a client challenge.
2. Mix industry insights with personal learning moments.
3. Add humor to professional posts through relatable analogies.
4. Include glimpses of hobbies that reinforce professional values (like marathon training showcasing persistence).
The 80/20 split keeps content primarily value-driven while letting personality shine through naturally. It prevents both the “too stuffy” corporate feel and the overly casual vibe that can damage credibility. This balanced approach has actually increased engagement because people connect with the human elements while still trusting the professional expertise.
Always ask, “Does this personal share reinforce or undermine my professional message?” before posting. If it adds depth to your brand story, share it. If it distracts, save it for personal accounts.
Sheila Eugenio
CEO, Mediamentions.net
Present Your Authentic Self with Intentionality
I believe the key is to present my authentic self while maintaining intentionality. People connect with my vibe, energy, and story, so I never want to conceal those aspects. However, I also recognize that my work speaks for itself, so I ensure my personality enhances the brand without overshadowing it. One guideline I always adhere to is: if I wouldn’t say it in a meeting with a high-level client, I won’t post it. This helps me maintain authenticity while remaining professional.
A significant part of my personality that naturally shines through is my warmth and high energy, which are inherent to who I am. This allows me to present myself genuinely without crossing any boundaries. I’m also very open about my beginnings in this industry and my humble origins. The key is being vulnerable in a way that builds connections, inspires people, but still keeps the focus on the quality and experience I bring to the table. That’s the sweet spot for me: being authentic, but never unfiltered.
Nicole Dohrman
Owner & Creative Director, Dreams in Detail
Set Clear Boundaries for Personal Sharing
Start by setting clear, intentional boundaries around which personal areas you feel comfortable including in your professional brand, and which areas should remain private. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be genuine or approachable. Instead, deciding your comfort zone for sharing personal experiences, stories, or details online gives you a framework to confidently and authentically express yourself without risking your professional credibility.
For example, you might decide you’re comfortable sharing general anecdotes about the things you enjoy or personal insights gained from your daily life, but you establish a firm boundary around discussing deeply personal relationships, sensitive family situations, or specific financial matters. Having these clear boundaries in advance makes it easier to stay authentic while also allowing you to consistently present yourself as a professional.
Bayu Prihandito
Psychology Consultant, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture
Anchor Your Brand in Core Values
Striking the right balance between showcasing your personality and maintaining professionalism is essential for building a compelling personal brand. One effective guideline I follow is to define and consistently align with my core values.
By clearly identifying what I stand for, such as integrity, creativity, and continuous learning, I ensure that every piece of content I share reflects these principles. This approach allows me to express my unique personality through anecdotes or insights while upholding a professional tone. For instance, sharing a personal story about overcoming a challenge can humanize my brand, but I frame it to highlight lessons learned and how they apply to my professional journey.
Maintaining consistency across platforms is also crucial. Whether it’s LinkedIn, Instagram, or a personal blog, I strive to keep my messaging and tone aligned, reinforcing a cohesive brand image. This consistency builds trust and ensures that my audience receives a unified experience, regardless of where they engage with my content.
Ultimately, by anchoring my personal brand in well-defined values and ensuring consistent messaging, I can authentically showcase my personality without compromising professionalism.
Akhilesh Sharma
PR Strategist, Level Up PR
Combine Preparedness with Authenticity for Success
What I’ve learned over the years is that the traditional definition of “professionalism” has changed—and honestly, for the better. As someone who’s spent years in corporate America, from customer service to insurance sales, and now as a two-time founder and C-suite executive, I’ve had the chance to see both sides. What I now understand is that professionalism, to me, isn’t about how quiet or polished you appear—it’s about how prepared you are and how consistently you follow through.
In my world, professionalism means you do what you said you were going to do, whether that’s delivering a product, providing a service, or showing up with intention and excellence.
That said, personality has to shine through. People need to feel your authenticity—it’s where connection, humility, and confidence meet. In fact, I believe your personality is what makes your professionalism memorable.
So my personal guideline is a simple one, and it works every time:
Preparedness + Authenticity = Success.
A.D. Marshall
Founder| Executive Director| Chairwoman, 3ive Society Women’s Club
Be Authentic with Intention and Value
This is a topic I actually focus on a lot, being somebody who is both a professional but loves to have fun and socialize with others in and outside of work. One of the key principles I stick to is being authentic—but with intention.
Your personal brand should genuinely reflect who you are, your values, passions, and unique perspective. But it should also come through a lens of professionalism. People are drawn to authenticity, but they place their trust in competence.
For example, I may share a story about a past failure and what it taught me, but I’ll frame it to reinforce credibility, not diminish it. If you can add humor, vulnerability, and personality into the mix, even better. As long as it doesn’t come at the expense of respect or expertise.
If it adds value, builds trust, or enhances your reputation, share it. If it distracts, confuses, or weakens your personal brand, it’s better to avoid it.
Steve Fanous
Owner, Mugmee Mugs
Balance Chaotic Good with Business Legitimacy
We’re essentially balancing between “chaotic good” and “yes, this is a legitimate business.”
The key for me is this: authenticity doesn’t mean unfiltered—it means intentional.
I present myself online as the founder, the creative, and occasionally as the slightly disorganized person with a shipping label—because people don’t connect with a logo, they connect with energy. However, I still have a strict rule: every piece of content, caption, or post must either add value, build trust, or spark curiosity. That’s the balance.
Yes, I use humor. Yes, I speak in Gen Z-coded chaos when the situation calls for it. But I’m always aware that I’m building a brand that people are spending real money with—so every joke, every trend, every “what’s in the box?!” moment must serve the narrative.
Your personality is the hook. Your professionalism is the reason they stay.
And honestly? If you’re doing it correctly, you don’t have to tone yourself down—you just need to know when to refine your approach.
Terra Brooks
CEO & Owner, Wondura.co
Communicate Value with Authenticity and Intent
I’ve learned that building a personal brand is not just about what you know; it’s about who you are and how you communicate that value.
Striking the balance between showcasing personality and maintaining professionalism is essential, especially in a global industry where trust and cultural nuance matter. One core guideline I follow is this: authenticity with intent.
I let my passion, leadership style, and values shine through but always with a clear sense of purpose and relevance to my audience. Whether I’m speaking at a conference or posting on LinkedIn, I ensure my tone aligns with the expectations of the professional environment while still sounding human.
This approach builds genuine connections, builds credibility, and reminds people that behind every successful business is a real, relatable leader.
Sudeepthi Garlapati
Founder & CEO, Naarg Data Media Services
