Back to Basics: Building a Reputation
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Clearly, the best place to start understanding how to build your reputation is to go on one of our Drive Your Career programmes! But if you don’t have that opportunity, let me give you a flavour of what you need to consider.
Reputation is incredibly powerful in driving your career. Our research shows that for successful people, reputation is three times more important than any other factor in finding career-defining opportunities. Often people will say that your network is crucial – and don’t get me wrong, warm relationships are vital. But typically, it’s people you don’t know, who have had their interest piqued by your achievements, who seek you out when they are looking for a talented person to take on a key role or project.
Generally, we end every article with a Take Away that summarises the blog – in this case on how important it is to invest time in building a relationship. However, this time I wanted to share a personal thought on today’s blog – particularly since you may have noticed a name change on the byline of this blog.
I have recently come out as a transgender woman; being trans is something I’ve battled with from a very young age. I’ve begun my transition process – and so far, to my grateful joy (and as a testament to the veracity of this blog) – my reputation has sustained me through the process. As I have come out to many clients and friends, I have been embraced and accepted. People have made it clear that it’s the capability I’ve built and the work I’ve delivered that makes them want to work with me, irrespective of my gender. With this big life-change, I had worried that what I’d built would be destroyed by my transition. What’s actually happened is that it’s not even registered as a blip in what I do. And people tell me that this is due in large part to the time and interest I’ve invested in building my reputation and relationships.
Your reputation is key to so much, please guard – and cultivate it – at all costs.
Reputation is incredibly powerful in driving your career. Our research shows that for successful people, reputation is three times more important than any other factor in finding career-defining opportunities. Often people will say that your network is crucial – and don’t get me wrong, warm relationships are vital. But typically, it’s people you don’t know, who have had their interest piqued by your achievements, who seek you out when they are looking for a talented person to take on a key role or project.
- Reputations are built on substance
As I pointed out in my last blog, excellent reputations need to be built on solid foundations. The first step is to do fantastic work which people notice and talk about to others. If senior people see you as bringing innovation, tackling challenging issues, possessing a high work ethic, being an excellent communicator – and more – they will start thinking about how they could make you part of their team. It’s important to establish what you’re fantastic at, and look for opportunities to do more of this. When you use your strengths, you perform at your peak, and soon you’ll start to stand out - Build on substance with measurement
Think about the last thing you delivered that you’re proud of having done. Did you do a good job? Of course! But how do you know that it was a good job – and how could you prove to others that it was a significant achievement? If you want to tell a story about how you made a difference, you’ll make a bigger impact if you can reel off a marked improvement in results and can point to the concrete value that you added. Having measurable results is like having a strong punchline to a joke – people remember and are impressed by hard facts, not your opinion that you did a good job. Develop the habit of measuring everything you deliver. Collect before and after figures. And collect data that shows what other people thought of your achievement – whether that’s an award or an email of commendation from a Director or client. When you have facts and figures at your fingertips, you’ll be far more likely to talk confidently to people about your work. And you’ll have a higher level of credibility if you can back up a story with hard results. - Gain external credibility
At a basic level, getting external credibility can be as simple as getting a recommendation from a boss, colleague or client saying that they think you’re good (which LinkedIn allows you to do very easily). Beyond that, getting skilled at going for Awards can make a huge difference to your external reputation. Also, join professional societies and volunteer as a committee member to gain visibility, and speak at conferences and volunteer to write articles – all these can help your reputation to grow. And if you are valued highly outside your organisation – you’ll be more valued inside your organisation as well. - Be a “go to” person
It’s great to get a reputation for being willing to help others as a professional resource. It’s your approachability and openness that makes the difference here. There are plenty of highly talented people who are never asked for their help because they have a reputation for being difficult or belittling people. But if people know that you’ll be enthusiastic and supportive, give great advice and knowledge they will send others in your direction – which also leads to great opportunities. - Look the Part
I work with colleagues who train and support people to build their image through their appearance, and I know from personal experience that looking 100% the part can have a huge impact on how others see you. We’re not talking about size and shape here but about developing an authentic personal style that is professional and completely aligned to the quality of work that you do. Always looking great also builds the confidence of decision-makers – they are more likely to ask you to present a project to the Board, represent the team or division, or be the face of the company to an important client. And it’s always a personal confidence boost to know you are looking your best!
Generally, we end every article with a Take Away that summarises the blog – in this case on how important it is to invest time in building a relationship. However, this time I wanted to share a personal thought on today’s blog – particularly since you may have noticed a name change on the byline of this blog.
I have recently come out as a transgender woman; being trans is something I’ve battled with from a very young age. I’ve begun my transition process – and so far, to my grateful joy (and as a testament to the veracity of this blog) – my reputation has sustained me through the process. As I have come out to many clients and friends, I have been embraced and accepted. People have made it clear that it’s the capability I’ve built and the work I’ve delivered that makes them want to work with me, irrespective of my gender. With this big life-change, I had worried that what I’d built would be destroyed by my transition. What’s actually happened is that it’s not even registered as a blip in what I do. And people tell me that this is due in large part to the time and interest I’ve invested in building my reputation and relationships.
Your reputation is key to so much, please guard – and cultivate it – at all costs.