Your reputation capital is the brand your name carries – the sum total of your good name, good works, and your history. As an individual, your reputation and the image it carries are important. With every move you make, you are validating in the eyes of your family, friends, neighbors and business colleagues, the image consistency of your reputation. Understanding that your actions and behavior translate into your reputation is important!
As a consultant my professional reputation is my product. It is what I am selling and what my customers are buying. My skills, credentials, experience all contribute to my professional reputation; however, these categories alone do not determine my professional reputation. The intangibles of what I bring to a job – my reputation - matters as well. As a consultant my name is my brand.
Reputation is not an intangible asset but rather a bankable asset. A great reputation creates demand and…demand can command premium pricing. A good reputation will also define the expectation of everything you offer whether you are a one person consulting firm or large organization. An individual or organizations reputation is a fragile quality…difficult to earn, but easy to lose.
The most effective form of marketing is still word-of-mouth referrals, and that relies entirely on reputation.
Some would argue that knowledge is your most important asset, but in reality, reputation is. Knowledge can be bought, or even sub-contracted, while reputation can't. You could know everything in the world, but if no one trusts you, you're not going to make a living with just your knowledge. Reputation is about trust, and to gain trust you must deliver on what you promise. This is true for the individual or the organization.
Developing your reputation requires effort – and the heart and passion to make a difference – especially in the lives of others. If you are to become a person who can impact the lives of others, you must first believe in your ability to influence others, and that you can be a positive and committed force in your approach to effecting personal and organizational change. The very concept of “having a good reputation” implies that you possess a high degree of personal insight in self, and a high degree of credibility in being able to take others to a place they have not been.
The phrase “image is everything” probably sounds familiar. But with regard to reputation, it refers to more than how you dress. Each of your interactions and communications are noted by your business colleagues, friends and family and help shape your reputation.
To help you achieve a polished, professional reputation and image; here are some things to consider.
Be Courtesy: — Be polite and respectful because it not only boosts your image, it builds consensus and helps people and projects move forward in a friendly environment. Being courteous includes listening, making realistic requests, providing constructive input, being on time and not expecting others to solve your problems.
Seek Feedback: — If you’re not sure what image you’re projecting both on and off the job, ask a few people. Make sure you ask people who will be honest in their assessment. You may want to ask beyond family and friends. I have considered feedback from my peers to most often be the most honest. You should seek information which will provide you the best direction and guidance for your image building efforts.
Be Constructive: — Don’t gossip, spread rumors or even listen to them. If conversations are not factual or constructive they are not good for building your reputation and professional image.
Work Like You Own the Company: — Do not approach your job like an employee. Work like you own the company and have a personal stake in the results of your projects.
It’s also critical to think of everyone as a customer, whether the person is a coworker or client. Are you easy to do business with?
"Glass, china and reputation are easily cracked, and never well mended." Benjamin Franklin
As an individual:
“Rarely Do You Ever Have a Second Chance to
Establish Your Reputation”
For more information, visit www.ingbretsen.com or call 509 9997008.
Ingbretsen Consulting LLC, specializes in leadership coaching and organizational development and is the creator of the “Leadership Development Coaching Experience©” a train the trainer, internal leadership coaching process. Roger Ingbretsen is also the author of the new self development book, “Personal Knowledge to Shape Your Future.”
Roger Ingbretsen has more than three decades of operational and leadership experience, Serving on USAF active duty for twenty-six years, he then worked for high-tech companies for nineteen years before starting his leadership coaching and organizational consulting business.
Roger has held positions as a project manager, new product program manager, marketing and sales manager, corporate training and development manager, production manager, director of material, director of quality, director of executive development, and vice president of operations.
Roger has a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership, from Gonzaga University, a dual undergraduate degree in Economics & Business Administration, and anAA degree in Business.
Roger is a member of the International Coaching Federation, has completed many professional training programs attaining certifications in the Harvard Law School "win-win" negotiation, Center for Creative Leadership "360-Degree Feedback" process and "Coach the Coach" program, Zenger Miller "Team Training Certification" and "Executive Coaching" from the Professional School Of Psychology, California. He is also a qualified administrator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory.
He is very knowledgeable in the area of "workforce development" currently conducting extensive research of recruiting and retention issues with a focus on generational problems.
Visit his web site at www.ingbretsen.com.