Recently in the news, we have witnessed politicians, community leaders, and celebrities making false statements on camera or in the press. When a prominent news anchor or a U.S. government official embellishes the facts and leads us to believe in an event that did not occur or an accomplishment that was not personally achieved, they have lost credibility. This misstep or falsehood is hard to recover from in the public eye due to the media exposure.
In our own lives, it is just as hard to reestablish trust and credibility in our relationships, whether personal or professional. In our efforts to connect with acquaintances or in networking social events, we may inadvertently color our past achievements.
Whether you are a corporate director, a certified meeting professional, or a leader in the community, your credibility is an important characteristic in both your work and personal life. Respecting other individuals in the office environment and in your day-to-day interactions will determine your ability to mentor and lead individuals throughout your life. Yes, this is common sense, and we all strive to meet or exceed these standards, but what credibility really means to you could be viewed differently based upon your own standards and the cultural environment that surrounds you. This is the point of this article.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines credibility as: “the quality of being believed or accepted as true, real, or honest.” To be believed by family or associates, you should have established respect by your actions and words (although, on occasion, you will encounter individuals who state they trust all of mankind until an individual proves to be untrustworthy). Many of us want to trust everyone first, but it is our perceptions of the individual by appearance alone that may be the determining factor in our judgment. Yes, trust often is gauged by perception, which is a result of cultural influences and your own self-assurance. An individual who lacks self-confidence often is more apt to perceive all individuals as untrustworthy or lacking credibility.
In sales training, we are taught to establish relationships built upon trust, which leads to credibility, which inevitably will create repeat business. As we know from experience, it is better to retain a profitable client than to constantly seek new clients. When you have created trust with your clients, and your word is all the client needs to feel comfortable, than you have laid the foundation for a business relationship that will not only last but offer referrals.
We have all heard the phrase, “It’s a small world,” which may relate to meeting someone with whom you share friendships in your community. LinkedIn is a prime example of how there are several connections we may share with people we have met, whether in our current field of expertise or from our past encounters. In my personal experience, I have met people in other states who know one of my friends. And I recently saw someone in Orlando at a convention center who I worked with several years ago in South Carolina; he now lives in Minneapolis.
Reputation and Credibility
Now let’s discuss reputation as it relates to credibility. You may feel you have a solid reputation in the community and among your peers, but it is important to obtain feedback periodically from your mentor or people you trust to be upfront and honest. Adolescents often will be brutally honest with each other; a teenager’s reputation in his or her peer group is critical to his or her self-esteem. I learned this firsthand when I worked in mental health hospitals as a counselor and led teenage peer sessions. As we mature and develop into adulthood, our reputation in our professional life and in our community often precedes us. Therefore, we may walk into a room for a social event and someone will say, “I have heard of you before.” Yes, your reputation is critical to your success and will be a significant benefit to you if you have credibility.
As Jim O’Toole notes in “Leading Change,” “What creates trust, in the end, is the leader’s manifest respect for the followers.” This quote is pertinent to establishing credibility, but it is just one aspect of the reputation each individual creates over his or her lifetime. It is important to focus on how you want to be perceived or judged each day. It may start with your attire and hygiene, but it continues with your ability to communicate effectively and your interactions with all individuals you encounter. With the Internet so prevalent now, several individuals may Google your name and form an impression of you prior to your arrival at a speaking engagement or a meeting. It is up to you to monitor what is on the Internet and if it reflects you as you want to be perceived. I recommend Googling your name periodically to verify the information is accurate.
Richard B. Secord is a sales consultant and trainer and a U.S. Army veteran.
