
Damage control: How to rebuild a professional reputation in six steps
- Be truthful. The first thing that can happen when your reputation is damaged is you lose other people’s trust. ...
- Apologize. If the damaged reputation was your own doing, it’s important to apologize to win back people’s trust.
- Stay true to who you are. ...
- Get help. ...
- Be patient. ...
- Be proactive. ...
- Give yourself an honest assessment. ...
- Set clear expectations. ...
- Stop taking things personally. ...
- Apologize only when you have done something wrong. ...
- Dress like you're there to win. ...
- Learn to "win" together. ...
- Watch yourself at social events.
How to repair your damaged reputation?
3 Ways to Repair Your Damaged Reputation Rule #1: First -- Don’t Blow It Out of the Gate Rule #2: Your Reputation Will Rot If You Let It Rule #3: If You Blow It; Repair Your Damaged Reputation Immediately
How do you own up to a bad reputation?
If you’ve damaged your reputation – wronging a coworker, angering your boss, or just getting an overall bad name – the place to start is to own up to it. Admit the error of your ways. [1] Clinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 15 July 2021. Take stock of your actions and accept responsibility for them, to yourself and in front of others.
Do you show you care about your reputation?
You have to show you care. You have to follow up. You simply cannot sit back and eat bon-bons thinking your relationships and reputation are taking care of themselves. Trust me -- they’re not. As Mike says: “Once you’ve established a solid reputation, it’s easy to think the work is complete. Big mistake.
Can reputation managers save your working reputation?
The work will be pricy, but it may just salvage your working reputation. Reputation managers won’t always be able to get rid of negative content from the web. But they should be able to highlight positives about you. For example, their services might include setting up a domain in your name for a page presenting your side of the story.

Is it possible to repair a reputation?
Having a bad reputation from rumors or things you did in the past can be tough, but you can usually repair your reputation by being open about it. When someone asks you about your past, try to be honest with them so they'll know the truth and rumors won't get out of control.
What to do when you've ruined your reputation?
Apologize If the damaged reputation was your own doing, it's important to apologize to win back people's trust. Apologizing will make people respect you more for owning up to what you did and will lessen the blow of your mistake. It's crucial you apologize as soon as possible, or it might not seem genuine.
How can I improve my reputation at work?
Build a good reputation at workEarn respect before a special request. Life sometimes gets in the way of everything, including work. ... Tackle something without being asked. One of the best ways to gain the gratitude of your supervisor is showing initiative. ... Offer opinions with tact. ... It's business, not personal. ... Figure it out.
How can I improve my reputation?
Building Your ReputationBe introspective and honest with yourself. ... Be sincere with others. ... Do what you say. ... Be authentic in your professional relationships. ... Remember social media. ... Listen first, talk second. ... Accept responsibility. ... Be personal.More items...
How do you build a broken reputation?
A Guide To Repairing Your Reputation When You've Royally F'd It UpAssess The Situation. Before you make any moves, you have to know what you're dealing with. ... Ask For Feedback. ... Start Damage Control ASAP. ... Clear Up Any Misunderstandings. ... Own Up & Make Amends. ... Spread Positivity. ... Let Your Actions Speak. ... Reinvent Yourself.
How do you know if you have a bad reputation?
Here are a handful of signs that you may not be as likeable as you think.You don't pick up on social cues. The ability to listen well and respond to both verbal and nonverbal communication from the person you're interacting with is critical for likeability. ... You like to 'one-up' others. ... You have an arrogant personality.
What means professional reputation?
Professional reputation means being held in high esteem. Being well regarded, respected by the people in a position to know and have an opinion about you. And as a result, being the go-to person for that solution. Which translates into being in demand.
How is a reputation developed?
You earn a strong reputation by representing yourself as a thought leader among them; a member of a group of experts collectively making your industry better. Set yourself apart with your knowledge but keep yourself a part of your community. Be human, be informative, and be respectful.
How do you get honor reputation?
ReputationAn Order requires 5 executions.You first finish 4 executions with the Warden in one gamemode.You perform one more as Peacekeeper in the next gamemode.Result: The Peacekeeper will get all the exp from the Order. The Warden gets none.
How do companies maintain reputation?
The guiding principles of maintaining your business reputationBe trustworthy. ... Offer value. ... Provide a good customer experience. ... Communicate clearly. ... Be of service to the community.
What is a good reputation?
reputation Add to list Share. Your reputation is the general belief or opinion that other people have about you. If you are considered trustworthy and kind, you have a good reputation. Reputation comes from the Latin word reputationem, which means "consideration." It's how people consider, or label, you — good or bad.
Why is reputation important in life?
Reputation determines the social standing of a person in the society. It is a measure of his or her influence. A person enjoying good reputation is definitely preferred for better jobs and for taking up leadership roles. And good reputation has never hurt anyone.
What is an example of reputation?
Reputation is the way you are viewed by people and by your community and the way these people think of you. An example of reputation is the general belief that someone is a nice, honest and hard working person.
Why is it important to have a good reputation?
Firms with strong positive reputations attract better people. They are perceived as providing more value, which often allows them to charge a premium. Their customers are more loyal and buy broader ranges of products and services.
How to maintain a good reputation?
First -- keep a thorough record of each relationship. Use some kind of system to keep track of your relationships.
Is Forbes opinion their own?
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Is it easy to maintain multiple business relationships?
Maintaining multiple business relationships is not easy. And I’m not talking about some random broadcast posts you do on Facebook and Twitter where you have 50,000 followers and you’re passing emoticons out like candy. I’m talking real relationships with real value. You have to show you care. You have to follow up. You simply cannot sit back and eat bon-bons thinking your relationships and reputation are taking care of themselves. Trust me -- they’re not.
Can you sit back and eat bon bons?
You simply cannot sit back and eat bon-bons thinking your relationships and reputation are taking care of themselves. Trust me -- they’re not. As Mike says: “Once you’ve established a solid reputation, it’s easy to think the work is complete. Big mistake. Your reputation is “maintained” only by your efforts.
Is reputation everything in business?
But no more. Woke up to the reality of relationships and reputation being everything in business. The sooner you realize it really is not what you know -- but more tied to “who” you know and your reputation with each person -- the sooner you’ll be on the road toward entrepreneurial success.
How to repair your reputation?
Perhaps the only way to repair your reputation is by going the extra mile and doing your best work and more. To make restitution for previous mistakes, you'll need to look for opportunities to let your positive work outweigh the negatives from the past. For example, you can volunteer to lead a new initiative, offer to help your manager with a key project, and bring added value to the team in a multitude of ways that allow them to regain their trust in you.
How can a reputation be damaged?
Your reputation can be damaged by poor judgment or failure to deliver on a commitment. However, it can be repaired by taking ownership of your error and accepting accountability for the consequences. Nobody likes to work with someone who blames others for their mistakes.
How to rebuild your reputation after a misstep?
When you've done everything you can to rebuild your reputation after a serious misstep at work, eventually you'll have to put the past behind you. If you remain mired in regret over your prior actions, you'll miss out on opportunities to continue the good work that earned you a strong reputation in the first place. Some of the ways you can move on include showing a willingness to talk about your past mistakes without becoming overly emotional and reflecting on past errors with a healthy dose of humor.
How to help yourself after a work failure?
Help yourself after a work failure by expressing an attitude of apology , even if you don't really “feel” it or don't think the failure was entirely your fault. For example, if you were due to give a presentation to the executive leadership team but arrived late because your printer jammed or you got stuck in the elevator, still apologize and tell your manager you're sorry you didn't make it into the boardroom on time. When you show others you can apologize, even for the things that may not be fully under your control, you can more effectively recover from the mishap and save your reputation in the process.
What happens if you make a mistake at work?
Whether you missed a deadline that caused the company to lose money or you shared information about a co-worker that caused him or her to feel betrayed, a big mistake or failure at work can be frustrating to others and cause damage to your reputation.
Why is it important to have a mentor?
If you've lost the trust of a colleague or can't seem to earn your team's respect, a mentor can provide real-time coaching and guidance to help you rebuild your credibility. In addition, if your mentor happens to work in the same company, they can also help to talk up your strengths and remind others of the value you add.
Is it better to apologize or be unrepentant?
” It's better to have a reputation for apologizing than for being unrepentant.
How to fix your reputation?
Keep your attitude in check. Repairing your reputation is going to be a humbling experience. You might feel angry or resentful. You might get annoyed, frustrated, or upset. Keep these emotions under control – you’ve had a bad attitude in the past and need others to see that you’re trying to change.
How to find out your online reputation?
You can get a quick sense of your online reputation by checking Google’s autocomplete. Just go to the Google homepage. What appears when you type in your name, or your company name?
How to get a bad name?
1. Admit your mistake . If you’ve damaged your reputation – wronging a coworker, angering your boss, or just getting an overall bad name – the place to start is to own up to it. Admit the error of your ways. Take stock of your actions and accept responsibility for them, to yourself and in front of others.
How to keep track of what you need to do?
Prioritize. Some people have trouble keeping track of what they need to do during a given day or week. Take initiative and prioritize your work. Keep your nose to the grindstone to avoid returning to past mistakes and to present yourself as great employee.
How to avoid bad behavior in the past?
Try to stay calm, collected, and positive. Be aware of the attitudes or emotions that added to your bad behavior in the past. Try to avoid them or situations that bring them out. If your problem is gossip, avoid the office gossipers as best you can.
What to do if you don't have a future at work?
Apologize. Even if you don’t have a future at your workplace, you should apologize to the people you’ve hurt. Showing remorse is decent and will help you start to redeem yourself. You will not get very far with building bridges and repairing your reputation if you can’t say sorry.
How to build trust in your boss?
You actually need to follow through and do them well. Good work and dependability can make a past mistake fade over time. Build up a track record for reliability and your colleagues and boss will have more trust in you in the future.
What to do if your reputation is damaged?
It will help to talk to a trusted friend or colleague about your situation, someone who knows you well.
Why is it important to apologize?
If the damaged reputation was your own doing, it’s important to apologize to win back people’s trust. Apologizing will make people respect you more for owning up to what you did and will lessen the blow of your mistake. It’s crucial you apologize as soon as possible, or it might not seem genuine.
Why do people create false personas?
When your reputation is damaged, it might make sense to create a false persona to force people to see you in a new light, to make them realize you’re different from your bad reputation. Or maybe you just want to be a different person than the way others perceive you now.
What does rebuilding a client's reputation mean?
That meant working for agencies below his capabilities and re-earning the trust of key stakeholders in order to rebuild his credibility and articulate his values to those who bought from him.
What is reputation management?
Reputation management is the practice of identifying a unique brand value and promoting that value intentionally and strategically within a target market. For most of my clients, the goal of their reputation-management work is to increase their market visibility and sales. Alternately, it may be to create a credible brand in a new and expanding market, or even build a new target audience.
Why should crisis communication professionals not engage in online battles?
Most crisis-communications professionals advise clients to not engage in online battles -- due to the numerous unknowns and variables. That strategy must be weighed against doing nothing and being seen as complacent and weak. In evaluating a response, we have to look at what we can control: our own actions and behavior, but not the actions of others. If I have the opportunity to share my client’s side of the story, I might choose to do that in a controlled way, via a press conference, a website post, or a letter to an editor, rather than a Facebook post.
Is reputation repair for the faint of heart?
In the end, reputation repair is not for the faint of heart -- it requires a serious and thoughtful strategy.
How to deal with a not so great reputation?
1. Address whether you’re a personality fit for your industry. One thing a lot of people don’t consider when trying to deal with a not-so-great professional reputation is that their personality might not naturally line up with the industry they’re in. That doesn’t mean all hope is lost — just that adjustments need to be made.
How to boost your reputation?
If you’re not sure where to start, Kim suggests displaying your knowledge and insights on your social media accounts, content syndication websites, and maybe even your own blog. This allows you to boost your own reputation as well as your company’s, for a mutually beneficial effect that only adds to your appeal .
Why do people have a bad reputation at work?
Many people feel that they’ve developed a bad reputation at work based on one specific incident. Maybe you messed up on a big project and colleagues are now reluctant to hand work off to you, or you threw a coworker under the bus without really thinking about what the repercussions might be.
How to get over a breakup with your significant other?
The solution? Use your PTO wisely. For example, “if you just broke up with your significant other and you feel down and easily agitated, take some time off so you’re not berating others at work. If you haven’t taken a vacation for an extended period of time and are reaching burnout, go on a vacation. If you’re falling behind on your sleep schedule, call out sick, rearrange your habits and get your life back in order.”
Is it annoying to be told to smile more?
If you think it’s annoying to be told to smile more when you’re not a naturally smiley person, you’re right. It is. But it also works. “You wouldn’t believe how far a smile can go, especially in a working environment,” Kim notes. “It’s so easy for people to get burnt out and dread coming into the office.
