What does your reputation say about you?
Your reputation isn't what you think about yourself. It's what others consistently experience when they interact with you. And here's the uncomfortable truth: there's often a massive gap between how you see yourself and how others see you. Your reputation is built—or destroyed—by your consistent behavior Monday to Monday.
Your Reputation Is What You Do, Not What You Intend
You think you're a great communicator? What do your emails say? You believe you're reliable? Do you actually follow through on commitments? You see yourself as approachable? Ask your team if they feel comfortable bringing you problems. Intent doesn't matter. Action does. Your reputation reflects your consistent behaviors, not your best intentions.
Consistency Builds Reputation—Inconsistency Destroys It
Show up prepared for one meeting and unprepared for the next? Your reputation becomes "unreliable." Respond quickly to some people and ignore others? Your reputation becomes "selective" or "political." Be supportive one day and dismissive the next? Your reputation becomes "unpredictable." People trust patterns. When your behavior is inconsistent, you can't be trusted.
Your Reputation Precedes You Into Every Room
Before you speak in that meeting, people already have an opinion about you. Before you pitch that client, they've heard things. Before you interview that candidate, they've done their research. Your reputation either opens doors or closes them. It either gives you credibility or requires you to prove yourself repeatedly.
You Can't Control Your Reputation—But You Can Influence It
Own your behavior. Ask for honest feedback about how others experience you. Close the gap between who you think you are and who you actually show up as. Be intentional about the reputation you're building through your daily actions.
Your reputation is your currency. Protect it through consistent, intentional behavior. Because once it's damaged, it takes twice the effort to rebuild.
