How aware are you of your reputation? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Men’s evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water.”
“Approach every task as though it were the moment that will define you.”
Image from dantzig.com
What’s your brand? How do you represent yourself to the world through your various efforts?
Jol Dantzig designs and builds guitars. Over the course of his career, he has designed instruments for many of the biggest names in music including John Lennon and George Harrison of The Beatles, three of the Rolling Stones, and members of the Pretenders, Def Leppard, and the Police.
His famous orange five-neck guitar—built in 1981 for Rick Nielsen of the band Cheap Trick—was exhibited at the Boston Museum of Fine Art, and some of his other designs have been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute.
What are some of your most important tasks? How can and will you more fully express your very best work at this moment to make the impact you desire?
A place to start may be to examine how pleased you are with your efforts. Seeking constructive feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, and family before you deliver can also help you stay on brand and provide remarkable, defining work.
What does it take to build a good reputation? How many virtuous and noble efforts, and what length of time is required to justify recognition?
Conversely, what does it take to build a bad reputation, or to undermine or destroy a good one? How many evil, questionable, or carelessly conceived actions does it take to wipe a slate clear and enter negative territory?
Who do you know that has been permanently labeled or continues to be judged for behaviors from the past where those around them are unable to forget or forgive?
What attitude adjustments might be worth considering regarding the virtues and shortcomings of others? How would you like others to view you on these matters?
Image from thestar.com
During the very early stages of a new coaching relationship, I often give my clients the assignment to describe their best future self. This exercise forces each individual to look deeply at the qualities and characteristics they wish to develop and expand upon during the course of our relationship and beyond.
We employ a strategy in which they examine past and current role models they admire and respect, knowing that if others could act and achieve such remarkable things, it is possible for them as well.
Upon your passing, what would you like others in your personal and professional worlds to say about you?
What adjustment will you make in the way you live today to guarantee this as your legacy?
Who are you and how do you behave when no one is watching? Are your values expressed in your deeds at all times, or only when you are on display for others to see?
Golf is a sport of great character, where the participants actually call penalties on themselves, even when their playing partners rarely, if ever, see these penalties.
What are your daily standards for living a life of honor and integrity? To what values do you hold true, so that you always live in this manner, regardless of whether an audience is there to observe?
What changes will you make to focus on your character, rather than your reputation?