Your Reputation Doesn’t Just Follow You Everywhere

I love this quote from Aliza Licht, renowned brand consultant and author of “Leave Your Mark,” because it give those of us wanting to have more influence in our lives yet another way to make this happen. Plus, it turns the old adage about the importance of a good reputation on its ear a bit by speaking to how our past can effect our future, even before we get there.

Of course, we all know the importance of a good reputation, however, I’m thinking that this knowledge may not be coming from the “top of the mind” if we find ourselves feeling resentful, angry, annoyed, or upset in some way. Often we let those feelings influence what we say and do, and this can become a problem if people start to expect similar reactions in the future.

By the same token, however, engaging people from the “Top of the Mind,” or in a way that is purposeful, effective, and in a way we would teach to others, also makes a statement about who we are, and this can go a long way toward how we are perceived in the future.

Unfortunately, there are times when someone may try to tarnish our reputation, and many people worry a great deal about this. While this is understandable, I suggest that we focus on the things we can control (i.e. how we interact with everyone in the present) and create a consistent reputation that is so strong that attempts to tarnish it will be seen as more information about the “tarnisher” than the “tarnishee.” In other words, their attempt to diminish your reputation actually diminishes their reputation.

The bottom line is that we want to do everything we can to maximize our influence with others now and in the future. When we ensure that we are accessing the clear, confident, creative part of the brain on a consistent basis, this consistency becomes our reputation. And, now we know that how we are perceived by others will not only follow us wherever we go, it will get there before we do, which can once again be the good news or the bad news depending on the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors we have chosen to exhibit.

This reminds me of another quote that I use in all of my presentations. It says, “Every thought, emotion, and action is a statement about who we are and who we are becoming.” I suggest that we put some serious effort into defining ourselves on purpose (versus being defined by the people and situations around us), and allow this self-definition to become our reputation. Then, when this perspective precedes us, we will have laid a foundation for a way of being that allows us to become more influential in our lives and the lives of others.