Your Good Name - Be Pro-active With It

             
Last week, I offered steps to rebuild a tarnished reputation. As it was in response to an email I received, that post highlighted reactive steps for rebuilding. The best time to overcome such an obstacle is before it comes up – therefore, this week I want to focus on being pro-active – on building and maintaining a positive reputation.


The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates said, “Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of - for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again.” A good reputation is not something that is achieved overnight; it's the product of persistent action over time. It can be earned by saying the right things and following up with the right actions.

Socrates went on to say, “The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” Therefore, to build and maintain a positive reputation, I encourage you to:


• Tell the truth – It’s all too tempting to take shortcuts in life and work. Furthermore, sometimes it seems easier to color or conceal the truth to avoid conflict. One falsehood discovered will begin the reputation erosion process. Never compromise your integrity, even with little bitty white lies. Consistently telling the truth will secure the knowledge that people can trust you.

• Be a person of your word – Keep your promises. Meet your deadlines. Do what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it. Doing this consistently will cause people to view you as someone who can be depended upon.

• Never gossip – Don’t participate in the rumor-mill. Avoid those people who are consistently gossiping. Even simply listening to gossip, without adding to it, implies an acceptance or acknowledgement of the behavior. If you don’t gossip or betray confidences, you will gain you trustworthy notoriety.

• Produce good work – Whether you are on the job or off the clock, whatever you do, choose to do it with excellence. Make sure that everything you do is something you would be proud to put your name on. This will garner you prestige that is associated with quality and craftsmanship.

• Have a positive attitude – Your attitude determines your altitude. It is the primary determining factor in whether people choose to be around you. A person who whines and complains – even if they work hard and do good work – will be remembered for the complaining. Maintaining a consistently positive attitude will mark you as someone whom people want to be associated with and spend time around.

• Ask for help when needed – No one knows how to do everything well. Asking for help shows that you value the knowledge and skill of your co-workers. Knowing what your strengths are, as well as your limitations is a key factor in personal growth. Being willing to ask for assistance shows a spirit of humility and will strengthen, rather than hinder, your good reputation.

• Stay focused on your job – To the best of your ability, separate your private life from your professional one. Compartmentalize and focus on the task at hand and the goals of the company. Being able to focus on what needs to be done gains you a name as someone who can be counted on to do the job, even in the face of a crisis.

• Walk the High Road – Be considerate of others. Treat everyone with respect, regardless of whether you like what they think, say or do. Listen to their opinions and offer input or criticisms in a constructive manner. This will mark you as someone who is caring and empathetic.


High Road Challenge for the Day – Evaluate your daily actions and efforts against this list and determine what areas you can build upon. Focus on one growth area at a time to strengthen and polish your good reputation.

Six "Be's" to Recovering Reputation

                  
I received this question in an email this week.


“I blew it. I was wrong and I know it. I did something that I should not have done, thinking it would be quick and easy and no one would know the difference. They noticed – and now I’ve compromised their trust. How do I go about rebuilding that trust and my own reputation?”


The Colonel (my father) used to say, “It takes a lifetime of work to build a good name and only one ‘ah poop’ to tear it down.” The realization that you have committed a mistake that can send your hard earned reputation crumbling down around you is often crushing. When that happens, it is important to shift your focus away from the rubble of self-doubt and recrimination, and concentrate your energy on reconstruction.
To start the rebuilding process, I recommend you focus on six “Be’s.”


•  Be honest – Admit you have made a mistake and commit to being wholly truthful and transparent going forward.

•  Be accountable – Accept responsibility for the error you have made. Agree to accept the consequences that result from that error.

•  Be apologetic – Whenever appropriate, offer sincere apologies for the damage or harm caused by your words or actions.

•  Be accessible – Hiding from the situation will not make it better. Be just as visible and approachable as you were before you made your faux pas.

•  Be committed to growth – Be willing to learn and grow from the situation so you don’t find yourself in an identical predicament again.

•  Be action oriented – The classic adage, “What you do speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you say,” is timeless and true. Put your remorse into action rather than just words.


Rebuilding your reputation will not happen easily or quickly. If you are diligent and patient it can be accomplished.


I am interested to hear from my readers. What additional suggestions would you offer the fellow who sent me this email?