On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Do You Know What Other People are Saying About You

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Do You Know What Other People are Saying About You I've known Marshall Goldsmith for many years, and he was kind enough to give me a blurb for my last book. I recently read his new book, and wanted to ask him some questions about a Chapter 6 -- on reputation. Here's what I learned and wrote for my Gannett column:When you look in the mirror, do you see the same image that your co-worker or boss see when they look at you? If youre not, you may be in trouble. Thats because your reputation is critical to your career success, and if your self-perception is out of sync with what others believe, it can not only hold you back now but forever hinder your progress. Marshall Goldsmith, a leadership guru, says that many people are clueless about their reputation among business associates. For example, you may be unaware how your behavior including in your private life impacts how others feel about you. You may think your education and work history mean your professional reputation is great but colleagues have been passing around photos o f you drunk at a party, or the blog post you wrote about trouble in your marriage. Goldsmith says one of the biggest blows to a career reputation can be made online, especially through social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. People post about their private lives on these sites, where anyone can see them. Its insane. Theyre showing a total lack of judgment, Goldsmith says. It takes about two minutes to find something out. At the same time, monitoring your reputation can be critical if lies are being spread about you your career can be torpedoed if youre not managing information and aware of how others see you, he says. With the Internet, and everyone having a camera, it can be tough to maintain control over your reputation, but the key is being vigilant about not letting your private life overlap into your professional world. While what you say on Twitter or Facebook may not seem like a big deal now, will it still be OK if you were suddenly out of work and needed to app ly for a job? Or, if you were up for a big promotion? How would a boss or potential employer view your words and actions? The truth is, we may never completely know how a damaged reputation impacts us, Goldsmith says. It can be a silent career killer. Thats why its time to quit drifting through life, and understand the importance of being aware about what is being said about you. As for the contention that many people believe being transparent online is a way of just being themselves, Goldsmith says that instead of revealing honesty, such actions show a lack of professional judgment that will haunt the person for years to come. It comes down to this: Your personal life is personal. Keep it that way, he says. In his new book, MOJO: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back if You Lose It, (Hyperion, $26.99) Goldsmith says that you should understand: The reputational goal. Its easier to build your reputation if you have a clear idea of what youre trying to a chieve. For example, Goldsmith says he wants to be considered one of the best in helping make leaders successful, so he always asks himself what he can do to have the most impact on helping others. I dont have to be the smartest, but I want to be the most effective, he says. Thats the question I ask myself constantly: Will this make me effective? A bad reputation is gained through a series of events. One mistake wont ruin you, but if it happens again and again for example, you crumble under pressure then people start to believe that you cant handle leadership. He suggests doing an annual behavior review about your past performance, such as six great personal moments or bad personal moments and looking for a pattern. Its difficult to change your reputation but it can be done. Opinions of you are not formed overnight, and they wont be altered quickly, he says. You must consistently deliver the same message, so that p eople begin to interpret you in a new way. Also, if you make a mistake, sincerely apologize for your sins, and then try to get better over time, he says. Its not going to improve instantly, but stick with it. What do you do to manage your reputation?Social Bookmarking