Should ALL tech CEOs build a personal brand?
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This week we’re quoting…
Maha Abouelenein (Personal Branding Expert; Founder and CEO at Digital and Savvy)
We asked Maha if every tech founder and CEO should build a personal brand, and she said:
“Absolutely – 100% yes.”
Why does a personal brand matter in tech?
“Every founder and CEO should build a personal brand,” Maha said, “but it needs to be done with strategy and intention. It's not about becoming a ‘celebrity CEO’ – it's about using your personal brand to drive trust, credibility, and influence.”
Sounds simple – but the reality is that loads of business leaders get tripped up on the how of this: how do you actually use your personal brand to do those things?
Don’t worry. We (and Maha) have got you.
And your first task is to think about your goals: what do you want your personal brand to achieve? Is it all about your current business, or do you want to use that personal brand to enable future, perhaps completely different steps in your own career?
It humanises your business
“Most importantly,” Maha said, “it humanises the company.”
And that’s so incredibly important. It’s so easy for a business to feel like a corporate entity, disconnected from the human emotional experience; but it doesn’t have to be that way. Because no matter how big the company is, the people working in it are still…people. And the people are the ones who can really connect with stakeholders in a meaningful way.
“Building the executive profiles of C-suite leaders isn't optional anymore — it's necessary.”
And it creates a platform for your own career to grow
You might not want to work in the same business or sector, or the same role, forever. And your personal brand can help you achieve future goals – ones you haven’t even imagined yet.
“Sharing thought leadership and industry insights is essential for CEOs to establish themselves as industry thinkers, not just business operators,” Maha said; and when you establish yourself in this way, you’re bolstering your own future potential, as well as the strength of the business you’re leading right now.
You can become known as the person who’s good at [insert thing you’re really good at here]. And that reputation will carry you through your career.
OK. Sounds great. But how do you build a personal brand?
Take a deep breath. Get off LinkedIn – there’s too much advice on there about personal branding to know where to start. And simplify with Maha’s three straightforward, very actionable tips:
- Set up systems and tools to make communication a habit, not an afterthought. This could mean time-blocking a weekly post, scheduling monthly town halls, or committing to a consistent content cadence. Without a system, it’s easy to fall off track.
- Document, don’t create. Instead of constantly brainstorming ‘new’ content, share real-time insights and lessons from your day-to-day leadership journey. Have a videographer capture moments in action or share quick reflections from your workweek. This approach is authentic, efficient, and infinitely more relatable to your audience.
- Hire a content specialist or writer. This person can act as a ghostwriter for social posts, op-eds, or newsletters, saving you time and ensuring your message is clear and impactful.
Build your network with real connections at LEAP 2026
We’re still buzzing from the energy of LEAP 2025 – and preparations are already underway for next year’s event. We’re very excited to welcome you here in Riyadh for LEAP 2026: Come to build your network and boost your personal brand with real, meaningful connections.
Position yourself to make your mark.
Have an idea for a topic you'd like us to cover? We're eager to hear it. Drop us a message and share your thoughts.
Catch you next week,
The LEAP Team
