What does reputation mean to you?

Over the years, I have spent a fair bit of time thinking about reputation and what that word means. Recently, I sat down and gave it some serious thought, as I felt that reputation was perhaps critically important to the success of my new business. I felt that if I could really “crack the shell” of the reputation nut, I might make important adjustments.

I remember that when I started thinking about it, I felt that reputation was something that affects business success and perhaps even success in life in general. I felt that it was important to me to have a “good reputation”, as that would affect whether people worked with you or hired you, or whatever. Perhaps I even felt like it defined me, and as such, I put more emphasis and weight on it than perhaps I needed to. I was thinking of reputation as something that I could change if I applied myself to it.

However, really, it comes down to a matter of perspective and perception. Reputation is defined as “the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something” or the “overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general.”

Reputation is essentially what others see or think of you, based on some level of contact and experience, whether deep or shallow. Theoretically, you could have an excellent reputation, which could be entirely out of synch with your true character, if you were a good actor. You could also have an excellent reputation, which is a true representation of your character, as you act in accordance with your beliefs, which are positive and good.

I have always appreciated the wisdom that Abraham Lincoln always seemed to share with those he spoke to. I love his analogy as he defines reputation. He said,

I find this sentiment to be very profound. While someone’s reputation is something that we see and might make decisions based upon, the truth is the character. The reputation can shift and change depending on where we stand in relation to it. It might appear bigger and better. But the character is where the heart is. The character is real.

So What?

I still think that a positive reputation is something that we should strive for, however, maybe we need to change our focus a little bit. I think that we should concentrate on ensuring that what other see and think of us (as much as we can influence that) is as close to our core character as we can make it. We should concentrate on being true to our beliefs and personal standards, and reputation will take care of itself.

If you have a reputation with your customers for honesty and integrity, then it should be founded on tangible experiences. If you have a reputation for hard work and effort, then each time someone leaves your association, they should have had that experience reinforced by what you have done.

So, we cannot make a reputation, but we can act in such a way as to showcase our character over and over. We should always act, not with an eye to what others might see, but rather ensure that what WE see when we examine ourselves is in line with our character.

Public versus Private Face

These days, it feels like every aspect of our lives is out in the open, laid bare for the world to see. We live our lives in the half-light of the social media spectrum. It is the modern world. But we should keep that in mind when considering the maintenance of our character, and that outer layer of reputation that others might create for us.

Those that know me might know that I tend to be a verbal thinker, at least in person. I do prefer to bounce my ideas off of a hypothetical mental wall, to see what echoes back at me. I have occasionally been caught by this process. I hope that it is generally harmless.

However, I have always been careful about what I post and share on social media. I do not hide who I am or what my core beliefs and interests are, but I try to be very careful to not post or share something under the influence of emotion, or connect myself with something that might be discordant with my character, and therefore impact my reputation.

Joseph Hall was a 14^th century English philosopher and satirist. He said,

Conclusion

While, ultimately, you cannot change your reputation through will and wishes, you CAN ensure that your behavior and actions always ring true with your character, which others will then use to build your reputation in their minds. Stay true to your character (or improve your character), and the reputation will take care of itself.