Bankers often lend money on character, but seldom on reputation alone, for they have learned that not all reputations are deserved.
When considering a loan, a banker attaches great importance to three things: the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, the borrower’s credit history, and the borrower’s character.
The first two considerations can be calculated mathematically; the third requires judgment and experience. Prudent bankers have learned that persons of character are always a good risk because they take their obligations seriously while those who spend their resources on the trappings of success should be avoided at all costs.
Protect your good reputation as you would protect your home, your investments, and your life. Once shattered, a good reputation can only be regained by those who have developed the courage and willpower to persevere in the face of great odds. ~ Napoleon Hill
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Just how well have you been managing your reputation? If you are a business owner, it's vital that you know what the world thinks of you and your business. The world being – your world of customers, your team members, friends, business associates, network connections (online & offline), the media and the world of people, media, networks.
As individuals, our character will help (or hurt) us as we navigate the business world. It is what drives our behavior, which is what others judge us on – and becomes our reputation.
One of the services my business provides, and has since 2008, is reputation management. Because individuals and businesses don't pay attention to what people outside of their world say or think about their business, their industry, their products, their services. Then, when an ‘attack' occurs, they're surprised and frozen because they don't know how to deal with it.
The same holds true for we individuals. We have seen how vicious people on social media can be – the minute a ‘controversial opinion' has been shared. Think for a moment about this: do you consider your opinions to be controversial? If not, then when you have an opportunity to step outside of your circle, your world, you need to educate yourself on how to protect your reputation – and how to rebuild it should an ‘attack' occur.
In the meantime, let's keep this simple:
today, your character is who you are and that is what guides your behavior. Your behavior determines your reputation – because reputation is what others think of you. Your good reputation is important enough to protect because it not only affects you, but it affects your family, friends, business associates, and customers.
So be aware of your behavior, be disciplined, hold true to your values, practice good principles of living and communicating so that you don't damage your reputation.
Let’s move forward with the day on purpose with purpose…
Always looking forward,
Charlene Burke
