Big Shocking News That Kills Your Credibility And Three Solutions to Strengthen It

You can kill your credibility and never even notice it.

Your public image, how people see you, matters, yes?  Of course it does.

If you aren’t seen as credible, or believable, think of all the doors that are closed to you.

Without a positive, powerful public image, you don’t have the same opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

Here’s the “big, shocking news” about your credibility and how people perceive you, what it means to you, and how you can turn the situation to your favor.

You can be hurting your public image and *never* be aware of it.  Your boss won’t have one of those “little talks” with you, people won’t get up and move when you sit with them in the break room, your job will not even be at risk.

But here’s what you need to know: If you are above average (and, since you’re reading an article on professional development, odds are good you are above average) and you aren’t quite as far up the professional ladder as you’d like to be, you must ask yourself a painful question.

“Why are you not further up in your career?”

It’s been said that “What got you here will not get you there.” You’ve reach your current level of professional development based on all of your thoughts, emotions, and actions up to this point.

To go to the next level, you must bust out beyond what you’re doing now.

And here’s where you go a step further into the shocking news about credibility killers.

For above average people, looking to take their careers to the next level, you must realize that there are some things you’re doing or not doing, saying or not saying, thinking or not thinking ( okay, you get the pattern) that *prevent* you from moving up any higher.

So, here’s what this means to you: your actions, or lack thereof, are not credibility killers for where you are now, but they are credibility killers if you want to get to the next level of professional progress.

Think about it.

You can get so far up all by yourself.  Good for you, by the way, and props to you for your progress thus far in life. You made it this far and most of you reading this haven’t even put much thought into it.

BUT. . .

To go even higher, you’ll need to consistently think and act differently.

Otherwise, you will not gain even greater credibility, and find more doors of opportunity open to you.

Now, take a look at three solutions that will help you have the kind of credibility that catapults you from where you are now to where you’d like to be.

First: People stink at follow up. You know you’re “supposed to” network, yes?  You’ve heard all this stuff about how the most professionally successful people are master networkers.  Know that networking is not simply about meeting new people.

Networking is about meeting new people, finding out how you may help them or be of service, or connect them with someone who can help them. AND, it’s about being clear about what you’re looking for and letting others know how they might also assist you.

Know something?  Most people stink at staying in touch and following up with people.  If you haven’t been good at it in the past, no worries.  That did now make you stand out as a bad person.  Why?  Again, *most* people aren’t any good at it.

Catch this point: Not following up with people will not kill your credibility to the point where you fall below where you are now in the above average category.

However, not following up with people WILL be a credibility killer for someone who wishes to be perceived as extraordinary.

See the difference?  Shocking, isn’t it?

Yes, you’re right.  There are different standards for above average people than there are for extraordinary people.  That’s why there are different terms for them.

Second solution to help you build credibility.  Apply for a promotion at work. Too much of a stretch?  Okay, at least ask for a raise.  But, you must show that your work in the past warrants greater responsibility and/or more money in the future.

So many people have mentioned that when they asked for a promotion and a raise, their boss started treating them with (even) more respect.  Try it!

Third solution to build credibility to take your career to the next level: Cultivate mentors and get a professional coach.  Mentors know the inside scoop on your company, and a reputable coach can give you support, accountability and the targeted actions you can take to turbo-charge your career.

Extraordinary people have a higher bar, and more stringent standards for credibility.

If you want to be perceived as extraordinary, you must do what extraordinary people do.

Extraordinary people follow up, ask for what they want, and rely on mentors and professional coaches to get results quickly.

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Crystal Jonas, “The People Skills Lady,” has been a professional coach and consultant for 17 years. To ask about availability for her workshops or coaching opportunities: email Crystal@CrystalJonas.com or call 719.291.0366 or fax 866.369.2843.