As I announced in my commentary about the 2024 Presidential election, during November and December, I will feature a timely #PostElectionSeries with a number of inspiring women authors, leaders, and influencers.
Today, to kick off the series, I've invited Lyn Chamberlin to provide commentary about the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more. But first, a brief introduction.
Lyn Chamberlin's career began in journalism, where she worked as a reporter and television producer - and her series "Women in the Arts" earned an Emmy. She is an award-winning brand creator, consultant, and executive brand coach; and has built a successful career developing unique and impactful brands for individuals and organizations. As Lyn explains, "I help people and organizations tell their stories in ways that inspire and inform, driving the kind of lasting relationships that traditional approaches to marketing and branding often overlook."
QUESTION: You wrote an article entitled, "When Brand Betrays Us," and explained, "Branding is supposed to be about truth, or at least a piece of it. At its best, branding is storytelling, the kind that resonates, inspires, and speaks to who we are. But what happens when a brand warps into something sinister, built on lies, misinformation, and manipulation? What happens when a brand betrays not only our trust but our institutions?...Branding can empower, but it can also deceive. Trump's brand isn't just a lesson in how to build an indelible image. It's a cautionary tale — a reminder that without honesty and accountability, brand can become a weapon that betrays us all." Please share more.
(Read the full article here:
https://lynchamberlin.substack.com/p/when-brand-betrays-us)
LYN CHAMBERLIN: Here are highlights from the article:
Branding is supposed to be about truth, or at least a piece of it. At its best, branding is storytelling, the kind that resonates, inspires, and speaks to who we are. But what happens when a brand warps into something sinister, built on lies, misinformation, and manipulation? What happens when a brand betrays not only our trust but our institutions?
Donald Trump created a brand that made him more than a businessman or even a politician. It was a brand so powerful, so relentlessly crafted, that it enabled him to shape reality for his supporters and make bold moves that, for anyone else, would seem absurd or laughable. It became a brand that bulldozed its way into the American psyche, in part because it was built on the very foundations branding experts understand: repetition, narrative, and consistency. But unlike the brands we aim to build on values, Trump’s brand was anchored in something far more dangerous: a disregard for truth.
The gravest act of this branding betrayal was his attempt to subvert the very Constitution he swore to uphold. Trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election was more than a political move—it was a direct attack on the framework of American democracy.
For months, Trump’s brand machine churned out claims of fraud, broadcasting messages designed to erode public trust in the election system, even though there was no evidence to support his claims. It was a manipulation of power, a way to cling to authority by undermining the truth, and it worked because his brand had trained people to accept his version of events without question.
Branding is supposed to be about helping people find their voice, discover their values, and communicate in a way that feels real and impactful. Yet, Trump’s brand hijacked the tools of our trade, twisting them into a tool of misinformation and division. It leaves us questioning: Is this the power of brand, or a reminder of how it can betray us?
This is the ethical dilemma for anyone in this field: branding can empower, but it can also deceive. Trump’s brand isn’t just a lesson in how to build an indelible image. It’s a cautionary tale—a reminder that without honesty and accountability, brand can become a weapon that betrays us all. And yes, I’m furious about it.
QUESTION: In Katie Rogers article in THE NEW YORK TIMES, she wrote, "The United States has been led by men for all of its 248 years, and that will continue for at least four more. On Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris became the latest woman to fail to break the gender barrier to the presidency, and the second to be defeated by Donald Trump...The United States lags behind several other nations — Britain, Germany, Israel, India, Canada, and, this year, Mexico — which have chosen women as leaders. Men do still run the world, numerically. Only about a third of the countries in the United Nations have ever had a woman head of the government. Just 13 of the body’s 193 member countries are currently led by women, according to the Pew Research Center."
(Read the full article here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/harris-woman-president.html)
In Dana Theus' post-election article entitled "Women, Power, and Fear," she wrote, "Three times in twelve years, an old white man, now a convicted felon, has run for the highest office in the land. When he ran against another, more qualified old white guy, he lost. Both times he ran against vibrant, more qualified women, he won. Looking at the pattern, I don't think it's defensible to blame the female candidates or their campaigns. I truly worry that the majority of our nation — women and men alike — simply do not trust women enough to give us power."
(Read the full article here:
https://inpowerwomen.substack.com/p/women-power-and-fear)
What were your thoughts about the election results?
LYN CHAMBERLIN:
Katie Rogers' article highlights a stark reminder: despite progress, the U.S. remains entrenched in a narrative where leadership is seen through a gendered lens. This isn't just about politics; it's about the stories we tell and the brand we project as a nation. True change in leadership representation starts when we challenge entrenched perceptions and craft a new narrative — one where leadership is inclusive and reflective of the society it serves. Until then, the brand of American leadership remains incomplete.
SHARE THIS: True change in leadership representation starts when we challenge entrenched perceptions and craft a new narrative — one where leadership is inclusive and reflective of the society it serves. ~@TheBrandDame #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog
Regarding Dana Theus' article:
The recent election results have sparked another wave of reflection, and Dana Theus’ observations resonate deeply. Her piece, “Women, Power, and Fear,” underscores a stark and troubling pattern: when the race came down to old white men, the more qualified candidate won. But when these men were challenged by vibrant, highly capable women, the outcome shifted in a way that defies simple analysis. The implications go beyond partisan debates and into the heart of societal perceptions.
I agree with Theus’ assertion that it’s no longer defensible to place the blame solely on the female candidates or their campaign strategies. The uncomfortable truth is that we, as a collective society — women included — still struggle with trusting women to hold the highest levels of power. This isn't an indictment of individual voters but rather a sobering reflection on how ingrained biases shape our decisions, often below the level of conscious awareness.
The cycle repeats, raising the question: what will it take to break it? How do we confront the complex interplay of power, gender, and perception that continues to tip the scales? These results serve as a reminder that while progress has been made, the journey toward true equity in leadership remains an uphill battle, demanding introspection, action, and change from all of us.
SHARE THIS: How do we confront the complex interplay of power, gender, and perception that continues to tip the scales? ~@TheBrandDame #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: Katherine Spinney wrote an article entitled, "Silence Is Not the Answer," during a national crisis, however, her words deserve attention now. She wrote, "Silence is not the answer. If fact, it is one of the most damaging plans of action you can take. Despite hopes for the contrary, silence during this time will not shield you or protect you and it will not go unnoticed. Your staff are watching, waiting, begging for you to speak up. This moment in time is going to determine not just how others view you as a leader, but how they view you as a human being. Your words and actions during this time will not just impact your legacy as a leader — they will define it...What is true for all of us is that we must speak up."
How should LEADERS address the Presidential election results?
(Read the full article here:
https://katherinespinney.com/silence-is-not-the-answer/)
LYN CHAMBERLIN: Women leaders facing the election results must heed Katherine Spinney’s powerful reminder: “Silence is not the answer.” In moments like these, silence not only erodes trust but signals complacency. Leaders need to show courage, speak up, and confront the biases that persist. Their teams, peers, and communities are watching closely, yearning for acknowledgment and guidance.
This is a defining moment. By addressing these results openly and honestly, women leaders can inspire others, foster meaningful dialogue, and champion the push for equity. The impact of their words and actions will shape how they are remembered—not just as leaders but as agents of change.
QUESTION: In Barbara McQuade's article in TIME Magazine, she wrote, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don’t know what to believe." Instead of looking at leaders' actions, let's swap the perspective. How can employees keep their leaders honest?
(Read the full article here:
https://time.com/7173492/second-trump-term-misinformation-essay/)
LYN CHAMBERLIN: Employees play a crucial role in keeping their leaders honest, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency. Open communication is key—speaking up when inconsistencies arise and asking direct, thoughtful questions can prompt leaders to align their actions with their words. Establishing trust requires employees to remain informed, question half-truths, and seek clarity when narratives become unclear. By encouraging dialogue and challenging conflicting claims, employees contribute to a workplace where integrity is valued and misinformation struggles to take root. In this dynamic, mutual accountability helps ensure that leadership remains credible and grounded in truth.
SHARE THIS: Establishing trust requires employees to remain informed, question half-truths, and seek clarity when narratives become unclear. ~@TheBrandDame #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: In the years to come, what will you remember most vividly from the 2024 Presidential campaign and election?
LYN CHAMBERLIN: In years to come, what I will most vividly remember about the 2024 presidential campaign is the deep uncertainty seeded by a torrent of half-truths and conflicting narratives. As Barbara McQuade aptly put it, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don't know what to believe." This campaign will be remembered for its erosion of trust — how the fog of misinformation left many grappling for clarity in an environment where the line between fact and fiction was increasingly blurred. It's a reminder that when truth becomes malleable, democracy itself stands on shaky ground.
My gratitude to Lyn for sharing her thoughts about leadership and the election as part of my #PostElectionSeries. It's times like this that we can all gain strength and learn from like-minded individuals. Tune in again soon for another installment of my #PostElectionSeries.
Image Credit: Dreamstine via Wordswag.
Read my blog post about the 2024 Presidential election:
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/11/sharing-some-thoughts-about-2024.html
Read my post entitled, Five #PersonalBranding Lessons from Kamala Harris:
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/07/five-personalbranding-lessons-from.html
Connect with Lyn at these links:
Website: https://thebranddame.com/
Blog: https://lynchamberlin.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynchamberlin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_brand_dame/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_brand_dame
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebranddame/
Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/thebranddame
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