There have been many studies on credibility in life and particularly in
management. It seemed like an interesting topic to read and reflect on. I
am not going into a huge diatribe merely making a few observations.
In
this world we live and die by our credibility. It takes years to build up
a level of credibility and you have to maintain it constantly or lose it
in an instant!
Credibility is an important aspect for a leader and trusted advisor.
One of the interesting aspects is that there are three levels to your
credibility. Namely how you perceive yourself, how others perceive you and
finally how you are perceived within the organization. The perception by
others maybe very local but for many managers and consultants who work
globally this can have an extended web! Each of these needs to be in some
form of alignment so as to be meaningful and deliver the results.
If we struggle to believe the persona we project how would we succeed?
Look at successful credible people they have an aura of success. They
project success. In management and in life we need to be positive to keep
moving ahead and developing our credibility.
If you think you're the cat's whiskers and you colleagues have a
different opinion. This would not be good. You have to try through a 360
degree evaluation to ensure some alignment on this.
Then look a little further out in your organization. How are you doing?
How is your management team doing? Your company as a whole?
Credibility is the ultimate foundational for effective; *
Leadership/Team Building * Relationship Development * Coaching & Teaching
* Customer Service * Sales
Credibility is; "The level of respect others have about you"
As credibility goes up, so does other's willingness to; * Believe what
you believe * Value what you value * Support your plans * Help you achieve
your goals * Be honest with you * Trust you
What makes credibility increase and decrease?
* Behavior perceived as being appropriate (from the other person's
perspective - not yours) to time, tasks, people and situations, makes
credibility increase.
* Behavior perceived as being inappropriate for the same factors makes
it decrease.
Developing Credibility Behavioral Examples that Build
* Honesty * Devotion * Punctuality * Good Example * Ethical Behavior *
Taking responsibility for behavior * Keeping promises * Forgiving and
Understanding * Getting Involved * Focusing on the Positive
Avoiding Credibility Behavioral Examples that Destroy
* Dishonesty * Lack of Devotion * No Concern for Time * Setting a Bad
Example * Unethical Behaviour * Breaking Promises * Denying responsibility
for Behaviour * Unforgiving * Not Involved * Focusing on the Negative
Think how Kenneth Lay, and Jeff Skilling destroyed their credibility in
the Enron debacle. I am not so sure that Martha Stewart's credibility was
damaged by her short stay in prison. She was not guilty of insider
trading, which would have destroyed her credibility! Maybe he legal system
took a hit. Perhaps more so internationally than locally. Kinda weird!
We wont discuss politicians. Each one could have a book written by the
ebb and flow of their credibility.
Build your credibility and maintain it - your life does depend on it!
About the Author
By Graeme Nichol of Arcturus Advisors. Please visit their website at
http://www.arcturusadvisors.com
Arcturus Advisors works with business leaders and their teams to close the
gap between great strategies and mediocre results. We use a tested process
to get your business team to focus on a shared vision and agree on how to
achieve it. We get team members to value and respect the individual
members and achieve awesome results that far exceed i
