Behaviors That Build Professional Reputation

Why Your Brilliant Ideas Get Ignored: The Hidden Psychology of Workplace Credibility Research consistently shows that workplace credibility is established within the first 30 seconds of interaction, yet many professionals struggle with being taken seriously due to presentation rather than competence. Here's what I observe coaching professionals: we focus on being right while ignoring the psychology of being heard. The credibility killers sabotaging your career:  → Apologizing before sharing ideas ("This might be wrong, but...")  → Over-explaining to prove competence instead of demonstrating confidence → Speaking in questions instead of statements ("Maybe we should consider...?") After coaching individuals for over 20 years, I’ve noticed that people often make competency judgments very quickly, and these judgments are usually based on confidence markers rather than expertise, such as strong, steady eye contact, a clear and measured speaking voice, and assured physical presence It’s a perceived authority that comes from specific behavioral signals that can be learned. Here’s a credibility framework that I use with clients and that works: 🔹 Master Decisive Communication  ➤ Replace "I think maybe we could..." with "I recommend we..." Replace questions with statements.  ↳ Tentative language signals uncertainty about your expertise. 🔹 Own Your Contributions  ➤ Start with "Based on my analysis..." Never start with apologies or disclaimers.  ↳ People respect professionals who own their expertise rather than downplay it. 🔹 Use Strategic Silence  ➤ After making a point, pause for 3 seconds instead of immediately explaining further.  ↳ Over-explaining signals insecurity. Confident professionals make their point and trust it. 🔹 Document Your Impact  ➤ Keep a weekly record of contributions and outcomes. Reference these in discussions.  ↳ Concrete examples establish credibility more quickly than generic claims about hard work. Being taken seriously isn't about fairness—it's about psychology. The most respected person understands how credibility actually works. Stop hoping your work will speak for itself. Start speaking for your work with the authority it deserves. Coaching can help; let's chat. Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Joshua Miller for more tips on coaching, leadership, career + mindset. #CareerAdvice #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #Workplace #ExecutiveCoaching #Communication

Leaders are not born — they are made. Anyone can become a leader —  Through intentional behavior and consistent self-awareness. Leadership isn’t about waiting for a title or promotion. It’s about how you show up every day, especially when no one is watching. That’s what I work on with clients inside coaching conversations: Shifting leadership from something you earn later… to something you embody now. Because once you start taking ownership — your title often catches up. Here are 8 behaviors that build real leadership, no matter your role: 1. Take initiative Step toward the problem, not away from it. 2. Stay accountable Own results even when circumstances shift. 3. Empower others Let go of control to unlock capability. 4. Communicate clearly Precision prevents problems. 5. Build trust Small, consistent actions matter most. 6. Model integrity Live the standard you expect from others. 7. Own mistakes Your humility earns more credibility than perfection ever could. 8. Lead by example Actions, not intentions, define your influence. Leadership doesn’t start with a title. It starts with a choice. What will you model today? If you’re ready to lead differently — with purpose, presence, and accountability — let’s talk.

A harsh truth I’ve learned in my 20-year HR career: Your professional reputation speaks louder than your resume. ⤷ I’ve seen two types of professionals. ⤷ Those who shape their reputations. ⤷ And those who let others define them. In a group of 10 HR managers —7 are judged more by reputation than by qualifications. Your reputation is built by your actions, communication, and decisions. Here are 7 ways to make your reputation work for you: 1. 𝗕𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 – Follow through on commitments. 2. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 – Be transparent to avoid misunderstandings. 3. 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 – Accountability builds trust. 4. 𝗕𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 – Treat everyone with respect, no matter their role. 5. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 – Social media affects your reputation. 6. 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 – Be known as someone who supports others. 7. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Align your actions with your words. ⤷ It’s not just about your job. ⤷ It’s about the legacy you leave. ⤷ Every interaction builds your professional reputation. Ask yourself: What does your professional reputation say about you? ♻️Share this post to remind your network about the importance of a strong professional reputation. Need help with a project?  Set up a call 📞 #Adamshr #Hrprofessionals #humanresources #HR Stephanie Adams, SPHR