Marketing Research Community PhD Workshop – Professor Rubab Jafry O’Connor

Title: Be Your Brand!

Date: 20 May 2024

Time: 10:30-14:00

Location: NUBS.2.13

Please register using the following link:

Be Your Brand!

Speaker:  Professor Rubab Jafry O’Connor

Rubab Jafry O’Connor is a Distinguished Service Professor of Business Management at Tepper School of Business where she has created and teaches a unique three-year leadership development course sequence called Business Leadership Endeavor (BLE) undergraduate business students. Her other teaching experiences include Organizational Behavior at Tepper School of Business, Organizational Development to grad students at Heinz School of Policy and Management, Leadership and Organizations to grad students at University of Pittsburgh, Leadership and Budget Financial Management to grad students at Duquesne University and Leadership and Organizational Behavior at ICN Business School, France. Her research interests include transformational leadership, confidence, public speaking, and student development as a person and as a professional. Currently, Rubab is conducting a longitudinal research study in her BLE course to study the impact of behavioral skill development on public speaking and confidence building.

Prior to teaching, Rubab has held many management roles including Director of academic advising, career consultant for undergrads, MBAs. Comp Fi and Computer Science nationally and internationally. Rubab’s other work experiences include investment banking in credit marketing and Research Assistant for United Nations Development Program (UNDP), NY.

Rubab holds a Doctor of Education degree with a concentration in Management from University of Pittsburgh, and Master of Policy and Management with a concentration in Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Rubab also holds a Master of Economics and undergrad in statistics and economics.

Publications:

Linking Transformational Leadership Theory to the Practice of Academic Advising – A Conceptual Paper

4 Nov 2021Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice21(12) North American Business Press

(Authors: Rubab Jafry O’Connor, Margaret Mbindyo, Ankur Anandkur)

Advisor Transformational Leadership and Its Impact on Advisees: A Conceptual Analysis

30 Dec 2020Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice20(14) North American Business Press

(Authors: Rubab Jafry O’Connor, Margaret Mbindyo, Ankur Anandkur)

Academic Advising Leadership and Change Management

n Academic Advising Administration: Essential Knowledge and Skills for the 21st Century. 2nd. Routledge, New York 2023

(Authors: Rubab Jafry O’Connor, Thomas Casey O’Connor, Margaret Mbindyo, Ankur Anandkur)

Working Research Paper / Study:

Faculty Transformational Leadership and Its Impact on Students.

(Authors: Rubab Jafry O’Connor, Margaret Mbindyo, Ankur Anandkur)

Longitudinal Study to understand the impact of soft skills on public speaking and confidence building.

(Author and Researcher: Rubab Jafry O’Connor)

Title: Be Your Brand!

Be Your Brand: Building a Strong Personal Brand

The idea of building a personal brand has been around for many years. A strong brand is powerful asset that can significantly impact your academic, personal, and professional life. To be successful, however, a brand must go beyond crafting and cultivating a public persona. It must also reflect one’s authentic self. A brand is built daily in the way one lives, works, communicates, interacts, and behaves. In this workshop we will explore the art and science of embodying our brand through a dynamic blend of lecture, interactive activities, and thought-provoking discussions. This course goes beyond theory; it provides practical tools and strategies to help you be the brand that reflects your innermost identity, values, and aspirations.

Why Personal Branding Matters?

In an interconnected world where first impressions are the key, your personal brand serves as your professional calling card. It’s the sum of your reputation, expertise, and how you present yourself to the world. Whether you’re seeking internships, launching a startup, or aiming for that corner office, your brand precedes you. “Be Your Brand” equips you with the skills to craft an authentic and compelling narrative—one that resonates with employers, colleagues, and clients alike.

What to Expect

• Self-Reflection and Discovery: Uncover your core strengths, passions, and values. Understand what makes you unique and how to leverage these qualities to stand out.
• Effective Communication: Master the art of verbal and nonverbal communication. Learn to articulate your ideas confidently, whether in a boardroom presentation or a casual networking event.
• Digital Presence: Navigate the digital landscape strategically. From LinkedIn profiles to thought leadership content, discover how to manage your online reputation.
• Behavioral Skills: Cultivate emotional intelligence, empathy, and adaptability. Understand that your interactions shape your brand perception.
• Confidence Building: Overcome self-doubt and project confidence. Whether you’re addressing a room full of executives or introducing yourself at a networking mixer, confidence matters.

Learning Objectives

1. Define Personal Branding
   • Understand what a personal brand is and why it matters.
   • Recognize that your brand extends beyond your resume—it’s how you present yourself in every interaction.
2. Discover Authenticity
   • Explore self-discovery techniques to identify your unique strengths, values, and passions.
   • Emphasize the importance of being genuine and true to yourself in building a brand that resonates with others.
3. Master Effective Communication
   • Develop verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
   • Recognize that public speaking is a crucial aspect of personal branding—whether presenting to a small team or addressing a large audience, your ability to articulate ideas confidently matters.
4. Leverage Digital Presence
   • Learn how to manage your online reputation through social media platforms.
   • Understand that what you share online contributes to your brand image.
5. Enhance Behavioral Skills
   • Cultivate emotional intelligence, empathy, and conflict resolution abilities.
   • Recognize that how you interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders impacts your brand perception.
6. Build Confidence
   • Overcome self-doubt and project confidence through body language, tone, and content.
   • Understand that confidence is not only about what you say but also how you say it.