By Jack Perry
Reputation is analogous to a brand. For example, when you choose a can of Coke at the vending machine, you have certain expectations. And when you drive a Mercedes, you anticipate a specific level of performance. Everything has a reputation – people, families, companies, products, services, and the list rolls on. Reputations are the sum of your prior experiences with these things. And reputations build through word of mouth.
Unfortunately, most people tend to take one experience and paste that label on an entire group. Warren Buffet has wisely noted that it can take twenty years to build a good reputation, and you can destroy it in five minutes. For example, if you have a bad experience the first time you try a new restaurant, you probably won’t go back and you’ll likely spread the word to your family and friends. Then, at least within your circle, that restaurant will develop a bad reputation based on only one first impression.
When it comes to your reputation, you also get only one chance to make a good first impression with the people you meet. As an individual, your prior performances create your current reputation. And you don’t have just one reputation – you actually have a series of reputations, dependent on the role you’re playing. For example, you may have a reputation as a friend, worker, partner, athlete, community participant, and more. As a company, your reputation relates to how you treat your team members, deliver and support your products and services, and, most important, invest in your community.
It might not seem fair that a reputation can be developed and based solely on one experience or one person’s perceptions. But reputation is not a matter of fairness – it’s a matter of reality. However, you can build a better reputation, or maintain the good reputation you currently have, by considering the following tips.
1. Your Reputation is a Moving Target
You have a choice to help or hinder other people’s perceptions of you through your everyday actions. Every thing you do either builds up or tears down your reputation. Visualize a miner’s gold scale for a moment. Every time the miner adds a piece of gold to the one side of the scale, his value increases. Likewise, every positive reputation “deposit” you make on the one side, the more the scale tips in your favor. If you want to build or maintain a reputation of honesty, every time you forego the temptation to stretch the truth will add to your goal. To maintain a good reputation, you want to keep that scale in your favor at all times, no matter what you’re doing or with whom you’re interacting.
2. Your Reputation is Visible
Virtually everything has some kind of reputation. You probably hear “noise” from your friends, family, and associates every day about reputations. “That food market has the best produce selection in town.” Or, “He can’t be trusted.” All these beliefs contribute to reputation.
Your reputation is like your brand. And although you probably can’t see it, everyone else can. Your reputation advertises either for or against you, so you need to make it look good. In other words, don’t do anything you wouldn’t want in the headlines of tomorrow’s news paper , the TV news or blogs.
3. Your Reputation is Never Equal to Your Actual Performance
Regardless of what reputations you have, chances are they are not completely accurate. You’re either better or worse than your reputation. In some cases, this can be a good thing. But remember, you’re responsible for your reputations every day. Even if you have an excellent reputation, that doesn’t mean you can slack off and expect it to carry you through life. You have to work to maintain it. Oddly, often the better the reputation, the harder you have to work to maintain that high level, for envious competitors will be waiting to cast disparaging remarks, hoping to bring you down.
If you’re not satisfied with your reputation, don’t let that presiding opinion get you down. Instead, work to improve your reputation. You alone can help or hurt your reputation, so define for yourself what you want that favorable reputation to be and start changing it today.
4. You Can Change Your Reputation
If your reputation is weak, you probably aren’t aware of it. Therefore, you need to experience a moment of truth. Few people are objective enough to know other people’s perceptions of you, so you’ll likely need someone to tell you the way you come across to others. For example, say you’re meeting with a client and you’re not getting the results you want. Ask that person to be honest with you and identify the challenges he or she perceives. You may learn that your reputation has sent the wrong message.
Maybe you’re poorly dressed, so people are apprehensive about the quality of your service. Or maybe they’ve heard you’re always late and that concerns them. At that point, you need to retreat and ask yourself, “Is that how I really want to be perceived?” Chances are you don’t.
To change your reputation, look at all the elements that contribute to it and vow to move to the other side of the scale. Say to yourself, “I’m going to be perceived as the best-dressed person in my field.” Or, “I am going to be perceived as punctual and prepared.” Finally, ask yourself how you’ll accomplish this new reputation. You could hire a wardrobe consultant or set your clocks ahead fifteen minutes. If you don’t have a clue onhow to improve your reputation, then you need to ask.
5. A Good Reputation has Many Benefits
Thousands of years ago, King Solomon said a good name is better than riches. Even today, he is right. A good reputation can open doors, create opportunities, introduce you to relationships, bring you new business, and expose you to new friends. On the other hand, a bad reputation can slam doors in your face, limit your exposure, and shut you down.
Correcting a bad reputation takes a long time. But when you build and maintain a solid reputation, you will gain attention and respect from your peers. If you make a mistake or your efforts go awry, then your good reputation will give you a pass. So guard your good reputation with everything you have.
The Future of Your Reputation
Your reputation is built on other people’s beliefs about you. That can work in your favor, or it can severely limit your possibilities. When you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be able to build and maintain the reputation you choose to have.
Reputation from The Respect Factor® Series
THE RESPECT FACTOR® is a trademark of Jack Perry in the United States and other countries. Used with permission. ©2009 Jack Perry. All rights reserved.
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