Your name is going to be the most valuable thing you ever own. It enters the room before you do, whether in meetings, job interviews, or just social interactions. Whether you run a company, work a 9 to 5, or are trying to figure out this whole thing called life, your personal brand and reputation are essential to how other people see and trust you. Earning (and keeping) a good name doesn’t come overnight, but with diligence and the following helpful guidelines, you can develop a reputation that commands attention and cultivates trust for years to come.
This Guide Will Teach You:
- How to create a good reputation
- How to preserve that good reputation
- How to use your reputation to succeed in business and in life
Why Reputation Matters
Reputation is not just critical in how others see you; it has implications for your personal opportunities and long-term success. And here’s why you need to invest in having a strong character and brand such that people trust you:
- Professional development: Your reputation will lead to more job offers, promotions and other prospects.
- Trust/credibility: People want to work with, hire and associate with individuals whom they trust.
- Relationship building: Having a good reputation makes it easier to forge deep, meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally.
- Crisis Resilience: In times of crisis, a positive reputation can serve as a sort of safety net, buying you the benefit of the doubt.
Remember: Building a good reputation is not a charade. It is about adhering to those values and integrity, and actions over time.
For more knowledge, you can read this: How to Build a Positive Online Reputation
7 Ways to Create a Good Name for Yourself
Building a good reputation requires some combination of self-awareness, actionable steps and consistency over time. And that’s the beauty of character — you can readjust yourself to convenience the truth and use these three quantifiable ways to build a name others admire and respect.
1. Know What You Stand For and Stand By It
The foundation of any reputation is to be sure of who you are, and what do you stand for. Discover your innermost values and act on them. If you are an honest person, for example, it should be apparent in all communications and decisions you make even if it is hard for you.
Next steps:
Write down your top 3 values and examples of how you plan to live those values on a day-to-day basis. Get out of your room and get to know your neighbors, because they will be your friends. Check out what it’s like to rush a sorority or fraternity.
When your values are in alignment with your actions, people see consistency, and they trust you and think that you are authentic.
2. Deliver on Your Promises
A strong reputation is built on reliability. Whether it’s getting to a meeting on time, completing a project on deadline or keeping your promises, following through with what you say lets others know you are reliable.
Example:
If you promised a client a deliverable by Friday, clearly communicate when you run into roadblocks, and figure out how to keep that on schedule or make it right.
Decay of Trust:
Breaking promises causes damage to trust, and trust is difficult to regain once it’s lost.
3. Nurture Good Relationships With Others
“You’re only as good as your posse,” is how your reputation it is framed oftentimes. The company you keep, when you keep it with people you can trust and people who add something to your life, makes you believe that much more in goodness and justice!
Action step:
Be strategic about networking. ☞ ➖ Attend and join Align and ENGAGE with anything that supports your values and Goals.
Example:
Volunteer in your community organizations or get involved in professional groups to develop relationships with peers who share the same philosophy.
It’s not enough to cultivate a reputation for how you treat people in power. It’s also about how well you treat everyone, from staffers to passersby.
4. Specialize and Share Information
Another vital dimension of your reputation is value addition. Make yourself an expert in your field of study or personal interest by learning skills, obtaining knowledge and knowledge, and sharing knowledge with others.
Example:
Blog, share what you’ve learned on LinkedIn, or host webinars about your expertise. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also builds credibility.
Pro tip:
If you’re not sure where to begin, chose a niche topic that you absolutely love and start sharing your authentic views and perspectives on it.
Sharing links indicates generosity and helps put you in the thought leader space in your niche.
5. Develop Great Communication Skills
Good, professional, and clear communication is an excellent way to build a reputation. Whether on the internet or in real life, how you communicate with people is a representation of yourself.
Action steps:
- Actively listen when you’re having a conversation.
- Get back to emails and messages quickly.
- Do not react too defensively or aggressively to disagreements.
When it comes to online communication, pay close attention to professionalism. To not getting into wasteful fights on social media, these are mistakes that can last.
6. Handle Criticism Gracefully
There will always be critics, but it’s how you respond that defines your reputation. Getting defensive or attacking back only tarnishes your image, while handling criticism with grace shows that you’re mature and professional.
Tips for handling criticism:
- Thank the individual for the feedback, even if you disagree.
- When you are in a situation like this, and you are in emotional rage, take a moment to cool off and reflect before you reply.
- Admit your faults gracefully and learn from them.
When you take criticism and feedback on board, not only will it help you to develop personally and professionally, but it will also earn you respect.
7. Go Above and Beyond
One of the simplest ways to be appreciated favorably is to overdeliver. Whether it’s doing someone a favor at work, volunteering your time, or putting in a little extra effort on a project, it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Example:
If you’ve just joined a team, find ways to help colleagues out, even when it’s not asked of you. True above-and-beyond acts do not go unnoticed.
Some Common Problems with Building Your Reputation and Brand
It’s not always easy to build and maintain a good reputation. Here are some typical obstacles you might encounter and how to work your way through them:
- Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes, but taking responsibility and rectifying the situation swiftly can save your reputation.
- Bad Online Reviews: If you own a business, negative reviews could make you appear less credible. Reply politely to complaints, so they know customer feedback is important to you.
- Imposter Syndrome: You might feel that you’re not good enough to do something to establish yourself as an expert. Remember, self-doubt is an indication of awareness, not weakness.
Start Managing Your Reputation Now
You’re not building your reputation in a day. It is the sum of actions and values, and relationships over time. Fulfilling promises, accepting criticism gracefully, communicating effectively, and sharing your knowledge will help to build a name people respect.
If you’re ready to put some thought into how you can develop your personal or professional brand a bit more, start doing something about it today. Working on building your reputation isn’t just an investment in how others view you; it’s also in the good spiritual and cosmic faith that stares back at you in the mirror and reflects on what others will remember you for.
You can learn more about: The Power of Branding Strategy in Marketing