Why having haters is a sign your personal brand is working...

I've spent most of the weekend listening to P!nks latest albumn 'Trustfall' and watching the fallout on social media from something dragged up from her past, with a good dollop of what smacks of cancel culture thrown at her.

Full disclosure here, I'm obviously a big P!nk fan (contrary to popular belief, she's not why I have the same hairstyle, it just happens to suit me!) but I've loved her music for years, and am predisposed to love her new music, however this latest social media stoush has me thinking about P!inks personal brand more than her music...

You see, in my opinion she doesn't really have to prove anything to anyone, even though she, like me, has the natural talent of opening her mouth to exchange feet, still a bunch of haters have decided she is not the iconic female-power-icon she has clearly become.

In a recent interview she revealed that the filming of 'Lady Marmalade' back in 2001 wasn't fun and that amongst a bunch of difficulties that 'personalities' were problematic. Haters also questioned her stance on 'not being like other girls', quoting lyrics and using images from her hit "Stupid Girls" to suggest P!nk belittles other female artists.

P!nk, in usual form, has fired straight back with real honesty, sharing that she has made mistakes in the past and made amends with those she shaded, but she's distressed that the haters are focusing on the past rather than her work, stating, "I’m zero percent interested in your f***ing drama. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a little busy selling..."

And selling she certainly is. Her 9th album has powered its way to No1 in multiple countries and her world tour is selling out fast (yes I've got my tickets for her Brisbane show which is a year away).

So what's the personal branding lesson?

Well, there are a few:

1) If you don't have haters you're probably not doing enough!

Yes that's right, if your brand isn't causing waves theres more you should be doing. Great brands stand out because they stand up for something. If you consider those leaders who have burned themselves into our memories, they all challenged the norm and broke boundaries. Especially music legends like David Bowie, Madonna and Boy George who were chameleons of change, recreating themselves and their brands over decades.

So what does your brand stand for? What change do you want to see in your industry? How can you breakthrough what's always been done with new, fresh thinking. Who can you challenge with a different approach?

Fitting in is not for those who want to stand out.

2) The best way to beat the haters is to prove them wrong with your success.

P!nks right, no matter what the haters say, there is irrefutable proof she is a success. Her fans stand by her, buy her music, buy tickets to her shows, buy merchandise and support her no matter what.

Her focus is on the fans, knowing not everyone is going to be one and that's OK.

Using haters hate to fire you up and drive you on to keep going is one of the best ways to deliver a stand out personal brand. It's not about doing it in spite of them, or to prove anything, it's about total self-belief that your'e on the right track and no matter what others say, you're going to keep on doing what you do.

3) Other peoples opinions of you are none of your business.

Literally for entrepreneurs and business owners, business has nothing to do with what others think.

Yes you need awesome mentors and asking advice from those who have succeeded before you is an ideal way to grow personally and to develop your leadership, but the voice you should listen to the most is the one deep inside yourself. The centre of your values, motives and purpose, your brands true north will ensure you are not distracted by the haters.

Winston Churchill once said "You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks" and that's exactly what the haters want to do - waste your time on stuff that doesn't matter.

Focus on building your brand and leading your business and other than those who support your dreams, ignore the nay-sayers.

One of the best tracks on P!inks Trustfall is called Hate Me, with the lyrics "Hate me hate me, I'm the villain you made me, made me", so use the words the haters throw at you, to build the stepping stones across any turbulence and find the path again to follow your true north to success.

Lauren Clemett is a Keynote speaker, International award-winning Neurobranding specialist and best selling author with over 25 years brand management experience. Lauren shares how to overcome overwhelm and lead with direction, purpose and meaning, making magnetic leadership a walk in the park!

www.yourbrandtruenorth.com