How to Own Your Reputation

Whether you realize it or not, your reputation is constantly being

• defined (or re-defined)
• built-up (or torn down)
• enhanced (or eroded)

This means that if you aren't proactive and purposeful in defining and developing your reputation, others will do it for you. And, you may not be thrilled with their efforts.

If you want to shape your reputation, you need to address four elements that matter:

1. Your Intentions Matter

People who know and trust you might give you grace when it comes to your intentions. However, those who don’t know you or, worse yet, don’t like you will likely assume that you have the worst of intentions.

What are the true motives behind your actions?

2. Your Behaviors Matter

People may not know your intentions, but they can watch your actions and judge you based on them. What type of actions do you take? Are you consistent, erratic, thoughtful, appropriate, pragmatic, etc.? 

3. Your Results Matter

 Being a great person who tries hard and has the best of intentions is good to a point, but you also have to deliver results. What results have people come to expect from you? When was the last time you made a commitment, but failed to deliver the goods (be honest)?

4. How You Work with Others, Really Matters

Some people are easy going, team-oriented, and dependable. Others seek them out to be part of the team and the solution. On the other hand, some folks are difficult, unfocused, and calculated (not in a good way). Others avoid working with these people.

What is it like to work with you? What do colleagues say about you before you enter a meeting room? How about after you leave the room? How do co-workers feel when they are assigned to work on a project with you?

Now that you know the key elements, here are some things you can do today to own your reputation:

• Assess Where You Stand: Take time to reflect on how well you are doing in each area of the four areas that matter. Then, think about how your biggest fan and biggest critic (yes, we all have critics) would describe you in each area.
• Determine Where You Want to Be: After assessing where you currently stand, determine if there is a gap between your current and desired states. Most of us would agree that even if we think we are on the right track, there is always room for improvement.
• Learn From Others: Think about someone who has a reputation similar to the one you envision for yourself. What does that person do to reflect these traits? When might you approach her or him to learn more?
• Put a Plan into Action: Identify concrete steps you can take starting tomorrow to move closer to your desire reputation. Establish outcomes for the coming weeks.

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If you enjoyed this post, please consider visiting my author page.  It contains my thoughts on leadership, career management, and branding.

In particular, I invite you to read this post about NOT outsourcing yourself.

Also, by Patrick Leddin...