PEr Chronicles: Your reputation is the most precious asset

It was a tough week to be at the top in retail with a number of companies announcing CEO switch-ups. Under Armour announced a shakeup in leadership, with ousted CEO seen as not given time to effect change. Petco and Fossil CEO are also out.

Everyone has a boss – even if you’re at the top. Even CEOs have bosses.

Some bosses with narcissistic personality  disorder involves an excessive need for admiration and a sense of superiority, among other traits. Narcissists think that everything that happens around them, in fact, everything that others say and do, is or should be about them. In social situations where this is not the case they will take action to become the center of attention, such as hogging the conversation or belittling others. Some narcissists even may complain that their talent and beauty are burdens they must bear.

The problem is when special begins to mean better than others. A superior person, An entitled person. So, let’s see. If you’re successful, you’re better than other people. You get to abuse them and have them grovel.

Let’s face it, we all stumble in professional potholes. You never know when life-altering and world-changing moments like a pandemic will come, but those who know history, or who have lived through devastations like wars, terrorist attacks, destructive weather, or stock market crashes, know crisis will occur. We just don’t know when.

Your job is temporary. Companies are acquiring or being acquired or crumbling. Your team could be eliminated, your position outsourced, or you might lose interest in your job altogether. The job you’re in now is just one stepping-stone along your path.

No matter how much you hate your job, do you have even the slightest potential or ability to get another one? According to the Global Slavery Index, 40.3million people were in modern-day slavery. They really don’t have the option to quit.

Your reputation is the single most precious asset you have. Titles might be good for your ego, but in the grand scheme of things what really matters is what you’re known for, the projects you’re part of, how much people trust you, whom you know, whom knows about you, and the aura you give off to people around you. Sure, what you do is important, but what others think you can do can be just as important if not more so. If you build a strong reputation, the money and opportunities will find you.