6 Ways to Build or Destroy Your Reputation in the Corporate Setting

1. Watch Your Words

Gossip is a surefire way to destroy your reputation. Always assume that anything you say or write in an email will be seen by the entire company, including your boss and the CEO, and can often be misunderstood. It's better to give people compliments and encourage good behavior to promote your reputation and likability rather than smear others' reputations. If others are truly underperforming, people will notice over time. Avoid engaging in policing your colleagues, as it's a poor strategy.

2. Develop and Inspire Others

To climb the corporate ladder, one of the most important skills managers look for is the ability to develop, inspire, and influence others. A well-thought-out compliment or encouraging remark can inspire your colleagues. If you need to play devil's advocate, structure your concerns as risks that might negatively impact success. Think through the probability of the risk and the likelihood of it manifesting. This approach frames your feedback as valuable rather than destructive.

3. Be a Problem Solver, Not a Naysayer

Being the "that's stupid" or "it can't be done" person is incredibly frustrating for managers trying to solve problems. Some of the greatest accomplishments that can rocket your career come from saying "yes" when everyone else says "no". A better approach to any business decision is a simple pros and cons analysis: Should we do this? What are the challenges, risks, and benefits? Assign priorities to these factors. A structured answer will showcase you as a critical thinker who considers the big picture.

4. Practice Honesty and Manage Expectations

Dishonesty is a surefire way to lose people's trust. Under-promise and over-deliver. Even if you work harder than anyone else, burning the midnight oil and objectively achieving amazing results, you'll look bad if you under-deliver due to overpromising. However, don't abuse this strategy; your estimates need to be honest. Promising much less than is obviously possible will showcase you as a slacker or someone with low aspirations. Instead, define levels of success: "X should be our minimum level of success, while Y would be an amazing achievement." This frames your outcomes in a range that provides better coordination of expectations with your team.

5. Demonstrate Reliability and Consistency

Consistently delivering quality work on time is crucial for building a positive reputation. Be known as someone who can be relied upon to complete tasks efficiently and effectively. This reliability extends to punctuality in meetings, responsiveness to emails, and following through on commitments.

By adhering to these principles, you can build a strong, positive reputation in the corporate world. Remember, your reputation is built over time through consistent actions and behaviors, not just isolated incidents.

6. Prioritize Well-being and Prevent Burnout

Watch for signs of burnout in yourself and your team. Remember, a career is a marathon, not a sprint. Communicating clear priorities and letting people know when tasks are not urgent creates a level of trust. When you do emphasize urgency, people will believe you. Constantly treating everything as urgent creates a reputation for poor planning and management skills.