“The time to worry about your reputation is before you have one.”-William Raspberry
When I am leading seminars in any arena related to business and success I start with the Credibility curve. The credibility curve is essentially a measure of character and competency. It is the platform in which we all develop our reputations in the worlds in which we operate. The higher your credibility, the more easily you are able to have an impact in any endeavor you choose.
Your credibility is effectively your reputation isn’t it? It’s how other’s perceive you. You cannot tell others how they should perceive you. You can only function in the world and have them develop their perception. My friend Paul Welliver is the first person I heard say “repetition, repetition, repetition, reputation.” This is spot on. Your reputation is developed by what people habitually see from you, which means it comes from what you habitually DO.
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, Reputation
So here are a few things that you can do habitually, which will build your credibility and hence, your reputation:
Be authentic
Be Honest
Be Kind
Be Respectful
Leave things better than you find them
Be on time
Keep all commitments
Be considerate
Be humble
Let your actions speak (they will anyway)
Be prepared
Do everything to the best of your ability
Grow your ability daily
When you are wrong or make a mistake, take ownership and admit it
Apologize when you hurt someone
Underpromise and overdeliver
Time and circumstances eventually reveal truth. Develop yourself in such a way that your highly credible reputation is not only a perception, it is reality.
