Reputation

Do you know what your reputation is? How are you viewed by those who inhabit your world? And I’m not talking about how you want to be known, what is your reputation? Do you want to know? In the final analysis, your reputation allows you to know who you are from others’ perspective. You actually have everything to do with your reputation. Your behavior dictates who you are far more than mere words. People believe what they see quicker than what they hear. As a result it is far easier to discover your reputation.

Reputation emanates from your character but qualities may seem in opposition such as ‘respected’ and ‘liked’. Examples: what you need to appreciate is that you may not be liked but you are respected. You may have many acquaintances but no one you could really talk with. You may be called on when things are difficult but rarely are you invited to ‘fun’ outings. Part of the problem is reconciling these apparent opposites, but they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

A reputation is not built on one misstep nor is it made on one positive action. Reputations are built over time as you are seen in a variety of settings and your consistency emerges… or doesn’t. And it is true that one’s reputation does precede them. If you are ‘known’ as a gossip then private matters will probably not be discussed. If you are known as a person who weighs all sides in a disagreement then you probably will be trusted with the true feelings.

If you don’t like your rep, you can improve it but just as it took time to build what is currently your rep, it will take time to change people’s perceptions. It is the depth of your character and the consistency of your behavior that will determine your reputation. Changes from negative to positive character qualities will occur as people begin to trust the new congruency. It will become a question of importance to you… the effort to change and the acceptance of the new or the ease of what is.