By: Treasure Tunnel

If you’re waiting for your boss—or your company—to map your career path, you’re already behind. Today’s business landscape isn’t just fast; it’s volatile and fiercely competitive. Traditional ladders have been replaced by lattice structures, zigzag pivots, and the urgent need for self-directed growth. This is why Beverly Flores, former Fortune 100 leader and founder of Thyme Out Consulting LLC, is issuing a bold call: It’s time to become the CEO of You™.

“Leaders today don’t need more rules—they need more self-leadership,” Flores says. You can’t outsource your career strategy anymore. If you want to stay relevant, you need to start treating your personal brand like your most valuable asset.”

After a 24-year career at John Deere, where she led global teams and multi-million dollar projects, Beverly launched her leadership consultancy to help high-performing professionals take command of their trajectory. Her work isn’t just about visibility or influence; it’s about building a career rooted in authenticity and driven by a clear, personal mission.

So, how do you step into the role of CEO for your career? Flores shares five core strategies from her popular keynote and workshops.

Five Strategies for Building a Powerful Personal Brand

1. Shift from Job Title to Value Proposition

Most professionals describe themselves by their current role. But what happens when that role changes—or disappears?

“Your title isn’t your identity; it’s a temporary assignment,” Flores clarifies. “Your value proposition is what companies and clients invest in. You need to be able to clearly articulate what challenges you solve, who you serve, the impact it creates, and why it matters.”

Action Question: If your name came up in a strategic meeting, what would people say you’re known for- or would they just say your title?

2. Build Brand Equity with Every Interaction

According to Flores, everything you do contributes to—or subtracts from—your leadership brand. This includes how you show up on Zoom, how you navigate conflict, and how clearly you communicate your boundaries. This isn’t pressure when you realize you own that brand.

“This isn’t about being perfectly polished; it’s about being intentional,” Flores explains. “Your presence, your tone, your follow-up—all of it communicates your credibility long before your résumé does. People remember how you make them feel as much as what you accomplish. Show up with confidence, presence, and authenticity.”

3. Use the EEI System™ to Stay Aligned Under Pressure

Flores developed a proprietary framework, which she teaches in her coaching programs, called the EEI System™: Energy, Enthusiasm, and Intensity.

“When these three aspects are aligned, you’re in flow. When they’re scattered, you burn out,” Flores says. 

“The most successful leaders don’t have more time; they manage their personal resources—their energy and focus—with precision.”

The key is to audit your day. When you’re operating with high energy, genuine enthusiasm, and the right level of intensity for the task, you’re building brand equity. If a task consistently drains you, it’s a signal to reassess whether it belongs in your calendar or your career.

4. Master Strategic Adaptability

In a turbulent market, adaptability is critical, but Flores is quick to point out that it’s not the same as being reactive.

“Strategic adaptability isn’t about chasing every trend or abandoning your values when the market shifts,” she notes. “It’s about staying rooted in your core identity while flexing your strategy to meet the moment.”

She teaches three leadership moves every adaptable professional must master:

• Challenge, Cause, Change: A practical method for diagnosing the real source of a problem (the Cause), moving beyond surface-level reactions to create lasting, meaningful change.
• Listen to Your Intuition: The ability to blend data with your inner guidance in key decisions. This creates deeper alignment and more authentic connections with stakeholders.
• Choose Alignment Over Attachment: The courage to let go of outdated roles, projects, or expectations that no longer serve you, freeing you to pursue more meaningful and aligned work.

5. Invest in Your Narrative Like It’s a Marketing Asset

Your résumé tells people what you’ve done. Your personal narrative tells them who you are and where you’re going. It’s often the difference between being considered for a promotion, a board seat, or a game-changing partnership.

Flores teaches leaders to craft a personal brand statement using their core values and future goals, then strategically update key assets like their LinkedIn headline and professional bio to reflect that narrative.

“Don’t wait for the annual review to manage your story,” she advises. “Your narrative should be working for you 24/7.”

Leadership is No Longer a Title

From Manager to CEO: Putting It All Together

In a world where layoffs, reorgs, and AI are reshaping the workplace daily, leadership is no longer a title—it’s a mindset.

“Whether you’re managing a global team or launching your first side hustle, your ability to own your influence is what creates career durability,” Flores says.

These are the exact principles she explores in her highly-rated keynote and workshop, “The Leadership Imperative: Why Your Personal Brand is Your Greatest Asset.” Participants leave not only with a clear, compelling personal brand statement but also with a 30-day action plan to put these strategies to work and lead with courage immediately.

Whether you’re looking forward to the C-suite or charting your own path, Beverly Flores’ message is clear: the future belongs to those who lead themselves first. Onwards and Upwards! 

To learn more about Beverly Flores and Thyme Out Consulting, visit www.thymeoutconsulting.com or follow her on LinkedIn.