Emotional Organization
Emotional Organization, hosted by Dr. Denaige McDonnell, explores what makes us human in a world that often forgets it. Each episode blends the science of emotional intelligence with practical tools for critical thinking, decision-making, and leadership. From personal growth to organizational culture, the show helps you see patterns, shift perspectives, and act with clarity and confidence. This is where head and heart work together, turning insight into action for yourself, your teams, and the systems we share.
Emotional Organization
037 | Brand Building for the Solopreneur
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Dr. Denaige McDonnell
Brand Building for the Solopreneur
Branding isn’t just about logos. It’s about leadership, identity, and making your complexity feel cohesive.
Key Takeaways
- Brand ≠ Logo. It’s the total experience shaping gut feelings.
- Five Brand-Gap Disciplines (Neumeier): Differentiate, Collaborate, Innovate, Validate, Cultivate.
- Onlyness Test: “We’re the only ___ that ___.” If you can’t finish it, niche or clarify.
- Color & Shape Psychology: Colors cue emotions (red = energy, blue = trust); shapes cue meaning (circles = community).
- Visibility Requires Courage: “You don’t have to be fearless; you have to be brave.” — Jen Gottlieb.
- Iterate in Public: Low-stakes testing (IG stories, mini polls) beats silent perfection.
- Commit—but keep evolving. Schedule a quarterly brand check-in to ensure alignment.
Resources & References
- Books:
- Marty Neumeier — The Brand Gap, Zag
- Charles Duhigg — Supercommunicators
- Jen Gottlieb — Be Seen
- Donald Miller — Building a StoryBrand
- Bernadette Jiwa — Meaningful
- Free Tools: Canva Color Wheel · Coolors Palette Generator · Google Fonts · Hemingway App (tone clarity)
- DIY Exercises (download link in show-notes PDF):
- Brand-Buddy Scorecard
- Traffic-Light Asset Audit
- 5-Voice Bio Script
Put It Into Practice
- Do the “Onlyness Test”. Post your answer in stories; tag me so we can cheer you on.
- Run a Traffic-Light Audit. Green/Yellow/Red your assets—snap a pic, share on LinkedIn with #EOBrandAudit.
- Find a Brand Buddy. Swap 30-minute reviews using the scorecard download.
Until next time—keep those emotions working for you.