identity

Branding vs. Marketing

Branding is why                             
Marketing is how

Branding is your story                  
Marketing is how you tell it

Branding earns loyalty                 
Marketing drives action

Branding is the foundation         
Marketing is the structure

Branding is the being                  
Marketing is the doing

Branding is macro                         
Marketing is micro

Branding defines trajectory       
Marketing defines tactics

Branding is long-term                  
Marketing is short-term

Branding shapes culture             
Marketing shapes campaigns

Branding is the promise of value    
Marketing is the proof of value

I see branding as the essence of who you are, the identity and character of your business. Marketing, on the other hand, is how you build awareness of that brand. Branding is your long-term strategy, while marketing is made up of the tactical actions you take to reach your goals. Do you agree?


Healing and growth

I don’t believe we can become the people we aspire to be, or create the world we want and need, without having hard conversations. I think that you can have courage without being vulnerable. And we must show up and allow ourselves to be seen, even when the outcome is beyond our control, because that’s the true definition of courage. These conversations may feel uncomfortable at first, but over time, we grow familiar with them. After all, healing requires us to step into discomfort.


New pathways

People vary in their level of coachability, so when clients come to me, I look for any sign of willingness. While it’s great when someone is enthusiastic about learning and growth, that isn’t always the case. Coaching provides a safe space where people can fully be themselves, allowing them to see through the fog of fear, doubt, and anger. Through meaningful conversations, clients discover new pathways to achieve their goals. In essence, coaching is often less about behaviour change and more about identity, exploring who someone believes they are and who they aspire to become.

When working with leaders, my approach revolves around a single guiding question:

  • “Is there one thing you’d like to improve or enhance that we could work on together?”

  • “Would you be open to learning just one new thing that could make you better?”

  • “Can you think of one area where you’d really appreciate some support in developing?”

Once clients identify that one thing and experience the benefits of coaching, they often become more open to the process. They realise how valuable coaching is and that it never makes them feel inadequate.

“Where we have strong emotions, we’re liable to fool ourselves.”
— Carl Sagan

Slow down

What game are you playing?
There is a distinction between seeking to have the right answer and building the capacity to generate the right answer, one is a short-term win and the other has a much longer shelf life. I think passing down wisdom, especially through oral history, is vital for preserving culture, maintaining and transmitting identity, values, and traditions. It allows us to learn from the past, offering lessons from previous generations' experiences while using historical insights to address modern challenges innovatively. Wisdom sharing also strengthens community bonds by fostering common narratives and understanding.