Those with true greatness inside leave the mainstream behind and step into the world of icons. If you’re feeling limited or bored in your work, it might be that you need to go bigger, live even more boldly, and dream much larger, writes Kathryn Porritt, CEO of Icons Incorporated.

When clients first arrive in the Icons Incorporated world, they have the decades of experience and deep expertise of any successful CEO. They often participate in the speaking circuit, likely published a book or two, and have recognition in their industry as someone who is an expert.

They also share one important thing when they arrive – they want more. They’ve built a successful business or personal brand, and now that they have it on auto-pilot, they’re bored. They want to take it to the next level.

But everything they’ve done in the past to reach success isn’t working anymore. Or their marketing strategies produce the same results over and over, and they still haven’t reached that next level.

What is an icon, really?

The reason every single one of my clients first feel bored, frustrated, or limited is because mainstream marketing simply does not work for those destined for greatness.

You see, they are more than experts. They are ICONS.

Deep, deep inside they have bold dreams. Audacious goals. They don’t want normalcy or complacency for themselves. Their inner knowing cries for world-changing, legacy-building, impact.

So to move my clients from ‘expert’ to ‘icon’, they must first unlearn everything they’ve been told or taught. They dig in deep to their inner genius, inner icon, and let go of everything that’s holding them back. And then they harness their greatness using luxury marketing strategies that result in massive impact.

Icons are more than celebrity

Simply put, an icon is the most elite expert in a niche who leverages their authority to create incredible impact and wealth, lasting well beyond their lifetime.

I think of people like Dolly Parton, Anita Roddick, Richard Branson and Rihanna.

There’s many more I could add to a list of icons. I’ve done a considerable amount of research over the years about what it really takes to become an icon, and I’ll share with you what I share with my clients:

• All icons have significant and audacious goals.
• They are all extreme pioneers.
• They are revolutionaries.
• They have a unique point of view.
• They have brave, polarising opinions.
• They bring their ideas into action because they know it’s not good enough to sit and have a great idea. You actually have to act on a great idea.
• They all have supreme magnetism, but it’s specific and authentic to them.
• They have devoted, evangelical fans.
• And they’ve created what we call a disruptive legacy.

Icons shape the world by creating extraordinary change that lasts well beyond their lifetime.

And the wonderful thing about this moment in time is that audiences are hungry for a deep connection and authentic leadership. Brands are hungry for alignment with true thought leaders and true icons.

Hunger for change and momentum is gathering for the bravest leaders. I am seeing this with my clients who are making more money than they ever dreamed was possible. They have transformed themselves into icons who command multi-million dollar deals, the highest level consulting and endorsement fees, brand alignment strategies with their most ideal commercial partners, and create deep levels of impact for themselves, their business interests, and their audiences.

A personal brand, executed with luxury marketing strategies, is the key to millions and world-changing impact. With deep honesty, really owning that genius, and stepping in with absolute bravery, my clients become the icon.

The 10 commandments of an icon

It’s one thing to know and feel that you have greatness inside of you. And it’s another thing to fully embody that inner icon and act on it.

I share these ’10 commandments’ with my clients to help them stand with certainty in their potential, to transform and create a powerfully potent brand.

#1. I am the expanded visionary

My most important role is to envision Mars when everyone else is aiming for the moon. I take my team there. I take my clients there. I take myself there.

#2. I am the icon

I know with full conviction that I am the very best in the world at what I do. I fully embody the icon every day. I don’t need an alter ego. I don’t pretend or play a role. I am the icon. It’s innate in me.

#3. I am the producer of my revolution

My effort consistently matches the audaciousness of my vision. I am so invested in my disruptive legacy that I’m creating, every action is in flow.

#4. I am constantly growing

My audience pays to witness my growth. My work is not linear. I constantly increase the potency of my message. As an extreme pioneer, innovation is innate.

#5: I am the talent

I make creating and cultivating my brand my priority. I have a clear message I can articulate with ease. I’m highly visible where I know that I am impactful.

#6: I am the legend

I am the Pied Piper. I don’t look to my market because I am magnetic. I lead, I am aspirational, I fascinate, and I harness my magnetism to inspire.

#7: I am the extreme pioneer

I am leading a revolution. I don’t have competition because I’m envisioning, creating, and forging a brand new path of which there is no map, there is no guide, and there is no blueprint. The answer is always within.

#8: I am innovating leadership

I employ the very best “who” to implement the “how”, elevating me to heights of greatness, innovation, and creativity. I am a transcendent leader who fully empowers my team. I am in full integrity as the visionary leader.

#9: I cultivate my magical world

I create and cultivate my magical world for my audience to bask in. I’m committed to ensuring every touch point has exquisite potency. My magical world is my ultimate playground.

#10: I am the brand

I show up every day as the powerful representation of my brand. I trust myself. I know myself. I deepen myself. And I pay utmost attention to my words, my opinions, and my behaviour. My brand is me. Always.

NOW is the time for icons

I’ve shared this before and it’s worth repeating – almost everyone is looking for something bigger, faster, brighter, more brilliant. That is not going to come from the world innately. Rather, it will come from icons.

True transformation and inspiration will come from revolutionary leaders, brave pioneers, mavericks creating a new path for followers. The highest levels of the market – your dream clients – are willing to invest in brilliance.

If all of this resonates with you, you have an inner genius waiting to come to life. You need to step into it.

As the most elite expert in your space, it is your responsibility to lead. Stop looking to the market for your answers. The mainstream didn’t have answers for you yesterday and it won’t have answers for you today.

Steve Jobs, a true icon, explained this best: “It’s really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”

Show us. You are the trendsetter, the pioneer, the maverick. You are being called to bigger things. You, as the icon, are here to lead your evolution.

Once you step into your power as an icon, if you feel it, know it, and embrace it, then iconic success is inevitable. Negotiating massive deals with dream clients and actually going after your audacious dreams are within your grasp. Your definition of success will literally be limitless.

The truth is that icons are successful because they are the very best at what they do.

Start doing and being today.

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