Get Me Christopher Walken

When a casting director says, “Get me a Christopher Walken type”, there really is only one answer, the REAL Christopher Walken. Plenty of comedians impersonate him, but there is only ONE Christopher Walken. He has taken his special brand of eccentric and creepy and become a star. He has even gone from playing eccentric and creepy to comedy.

What does Christopher Walken have to do with you? Well, when was the last time someone said, “Get me a (your name) type”? Or even  better, “Get me (your name)”?

You do not have to be a Hollywood actor to be in demand. You can become a named star in your industry.

In Power Questions: Build Relationships, Win New Business, and Influence Others
authors Jerry Panas and Andrew Sobel call this being a ‘Bankable Advisor’. “Just
like the Bankable Stars you see in Hollywood, there are advisors and service
providers in every market, who like their West Coast brethren are highly sought
after and bring in very high fees,” says Sobel.

An important first step to become a ‘Bankable Advisor’ is to establish a clear name and brand for yourself. Your character is your own. Your reputation is defined by others. It is your job to make that your colleagues understand exactly what you represent. If you want your management and associates to ‘get’ you, then first you need to understand just who you are. You need to define your true professional self or professional brand. Then act in a way that clearly reflects the real you.

This is part of an ongoing process, a process which requires consistency on your part. A process we will continue to discuss. You can start the process right now by asking yourself this question, “What are the key words that define me as a professional?”

If you have a question about the human side of the workplace, just Ask Margaret by sending your questions to Ask@MargaretMeloni.com.