Personal Branding Made Simple: The Three Elements That Matter Most

Personal Branding: Finding the Voice Within

Personal branding can sometimes feel like a buzzword. But at its heart, it’s the story others see when they connect with you built on your values, your voice, and your presence.

To explain this, I often use the metaphor of three horses. Each horse represents a key element of your brand voice:

• Ethos – your credibility and values (why people trust you).

• Pathos – your emotion and personality (how you connect).

• Logos – your logic and evidence (what makes your message stand).

Each one is important. Together, these three elements give your brand both strength and harmony.

Ethos: The Horse of Trust

Ethos reflects who you are at your core. It shows up in your values, your integrity, and the confidence others feel in your presence.
Ask yourself: What do people see in me that builds trust?

Pathos: The Horse of Emotion

Pathos brings colour and connection. It’s your humour, your warmth, your empathy. It’s the part of your story that makes people feel something.
Ask yourself: How do I connect emotionally with my audience?

Logos: The Horse of Logic

Logos is your evidence and clarity. It’s your qualifications, achievements, and the structured way you explain your ideas.
Ask yourself: What proof do I offer that reinforces my message?

Why the Three Horses Matter

Each horse brings something valuable on its own; Ethos builds trust, Pathos creates connection, and Logos provides credibility. The real impact comes when you allow all three to work side by side. That’s when your brand voice feels authentic, complete, and memorable.

Your personal brand isn’t about creating a persona. It’s about letting your values, emotions, and expertise work together so that when you show up in the arena, in business, or online, people see the real you.