Top Tips for Credibility

• Come across positively to others. It’s worth taking the time to self-reflect – would you consider yourself to be credible if you had to work with you?
• Present yourself well. That means dressing appropriately, being positive and polite when you deal with people, and using language that doesn’t offend anyone. It also applies to your written work – bad spelling, grammar and punctuation send out the wrong signals.
• Lead by example. Make sure others know they can rely on you. Be responsible for your own actions and accept accountability if things don’t go according to plan.
• Be a decision-maker. If you’re in charge of something, think things through properly, evaluate your criteria and make objective choices.
• Exercise objectivity. No one will thank you for a decision you’ve made just because you’ve felt like it. Do what’s right for the activity you’re working on and the people you’re working with.
• Take stock. Don’t rush into absolutely everything. Often we work to tight deadlines, but make sure you step back and look at the overall picture on occasion. Use this time to reflect on your objectives and make sure you’re on target.
• Work with others. Other people’s talents and skills can make for an extremely positive working experience. Delegate wisely and give people their own opportunities to develop. A professional person doesn’t feel they need to do everything themselves. They appreciate the benefits others bring and recognize they’re not always the best person for the job.
• Communicate. People need to know what is going on – be it the colleagues you’re working with, the staff you manage, or your own bosses who want to know progress is being made. Pick up the phone and talk to them, arrange meetings, send emails – communicate and keep them informed.
• Plan and organize. Work out what you need to do, and how you’re going to do it. Manage your resources properly and think about contingency plans.
• Attend to the little details. Sometimes it’s the things we overlook rather than deal with that cause problems. Don’t be caught out by missing something obvious.

Don't…

• Be afraid to fail. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, things can go wrong. Don’t be scared off by failure – it will only inhibit you. Instead, see your mistakes as a chance to evaluate and develop.
• Oversell and under-deliver. You won’t win friends by saying you’re going to do something and failing to deliver. Credible people don’t let others down.
• Avoid challenges. Stretching tasks are opportunities to demonstrate your potential. See them as your chance to shine.
• Pass accountability onto others. If you’re the decision-maker, accept accountability. Even if a decision turns out to be the wrong one, take the feedback that comes from it.
• Give others a reason not to trust you. Always behave in a way that lets others know they can depend on you: exercise confidentiality, shoulder responsibility and follow through on your promises.

One Final Do…

• Enjoy being credible. If you’re able to master all of the above then you’ve earned the right to enjoy the personal satisfaction and rewards that come from being conscientious, committed and capable.