Last Friday was Flag Day in the USA. A minor holiday for a few to celebrate a major symbol that is universally recognized.

It was a process to arrive at what is now the American flag:

246 years ago, Congress created our national flag by commemorating Betsy Ross’ creation of the Stars & Stripes. There have been a total of 27 variations in flag design over the years, as colonies grew into states making the 50 states that are represented on the flag today by the white stars. (https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2024/06/13/flag-day-2024-june-14-what-is-it-when-meaning-start-facts-us-american-history-6-14-24/74069975007/)

The flag is but one symbol of the USA and all it stands for.

Today is Juneteenth, a Federal holiday, commemorating the day a Union general marched in to Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the Civil War and thus the end of slavery. What a shame it took place 2 1/2 years after Lincoln’s brilliant but symbolic Emancipation Proclamation. And symbolically slavery’s ugly after-effects are still felt today in racism and abject bigotry.

Big pivot:

Similarly, you are a symbol and also a brand. Hopefully an in-the-moment, positive one.

It took a lot more than 27 variations of your brand and longer than 2 1/2 years to arrive at where you are today. Perhaps there is a metaphorical star on your persona for each hoop you jumped through, each hurdle you leapt, each skill you mastered, each pothole that tripped you up, each success that defines you.

Be that symbolic flag, that symbolic commemoration.

Tell us via your career narrative on LinkedIn and unfurl your experience so others salute your accomplishment.