In Monday’s Blog, we discussed how your reputation precedes you and how a positive repute builds your influence. And you’ve heard us say that influence improves your ability to accomplish work and achieve results. So in today’s Quick Tips, we offer 10 suggestions to build upon your own positive repute and expand your “repute gravity”. Some you may already be doing it; some of you may not have realized what you could do and that you can incorporate these suggestions to your advantage.
1. While obvious, good manners, particularly courteousness to others is essential Often these days it is overlooked in lieu of “the rush” and stress.
2) Be one that’s “Counted On”. That is, keep your word and commitments. (If you have a hard time with this, start by being more diligent in vetting your agreements, meaning you need to learn to say, “no thanks” or “I’d love to help but I am already committed…” or “ sure boss, happy to do it, though does this then take priority over my current directive?”). An added benefit, you get to manage your time better.
3) When meeting others, conduct yourself as a peer (not a subordinate), and especially when you are meeting new people. (And don’t flirt or fawn.)
4) Be a person of interest, that is, be interesting and knowledgeable and up to date with current trends and issues.
5) Embrace impression management—that is, look the part (which is complementary to the role you want to be/are.) Like it or not, impressions count, and happen in moments, and the first ones tend to stick.
6) Be accountable. When you mess up (and you will, as we are human), swiftly make amends. That is, acknowledge your error, apologize if appropriate and renegotiate a solution or the expectation knowing you have a little (emotional) recovery to do. And authenticity rings true here.
7) Be opportunistic and solution oriented. That is, look for the opportunity and advancement in issues, problems and challenges. 
Help others succeed and give credit due. Support, praise, appreciate and recognize others. If done genuinely and with good timing, this is a huge trust and relationship builder and serves as a key driver in motivating others.)
9) Deliver your best—and ideally more than asked for, whether that is an earlier timeline, more options, an improvement idea – deliver more value.
And lastly, today it is essential to know, understand, and respond appropriately the final tip,
#10)– Know that Social Media – predominantly Linkedin (LI), Facebook (FB), Twitter and YOUTUBE are dominating the way you show up in your network and that growing your network (connections) is based on your reputation, which is based on your presence (being or not being there), the interest and relevance of your profile and postings, the value of your communications when you post and who you are connected to. In this case even more than meeting in person – your repute precedes you as it is happening on the “viral level”! To learn more-read Social BOOM! by Jeffery Gitomer, for lots of quick and helpful social media advice.
To your success!
Copyright 2011 Kubica LaForest Consulting
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