10 Things Your Reputation Should Say About You

When it comes to building your business or your career in a company, how people perceive you is often the difference between more sales, promotions and certainly your satisfaction. Here are 10 things you want your reputation to say about you. Use it for yourself and share it with a friend to help her build her business or career:

1 Give credit where it's due.
In today's economy, you're nothing without the support of other peoples' contributions, technical know-how and creative ideas. Make sure you openly share the credit with others.

2 Create a safe place for brainstorming.
People need to know you'll receive their ideas in a respectful and kind manner. Assure them you believe there is really no such thing as a bad idea and that you are open to all possibilities.

3 Respect yourself and take yourself lightly.
Your self-respect will elicit respect from others. Your ability to laugh at your own moments of foolishness or mistakes will make everyone relax around you. (Just make sure not all of your comments are self-deprecating. That's a sign you don't think much of yourself, which, if you're bodacious, isn't true.)

4 Keep confidences.
As you move up in an organization, colleagues and employees may share personal information about themselves. You may also be privileged to certain company secrets. Make sure you remain discreet so that people will continue sharing valuable information with you.

5 Seek out diversity.
High-potential employees and friends are found among every age, class, race, sex, level of education and organizational position. Create space in your life that will hold anyone of caliber.

6 Be comfortable with conflict.
You may not love it, but you need to accept that when people work together, conflict and misunderstanding will happen. Don't lose your cool or get mean when the heat is on.

7 Share information.
Share public domain information from your department or other parts of the business that will help others. Pass on interesting articles, books and observations to help others grow in their own careers and lives.

8 Assume the best in questionable circumstances.
When you're in doubt, you can go one of two ways: pessimistic and suspicious or optimistic and positive. People will feel safe with you if they know you're thinking the best of them. That doesn't mean you give up your discernment. If someone's dealings seem shady, you're best to distance yourself from them, at least until you know more.

9 Don't inflate negative situations.
Sure, bad things happen, but try to keep them in perspective.

10 Don't appear doubtful about your principles.
When you put a stake in the ground, mean it. Take a stand.

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Mary Foley, author of "Bodacious! Career: Outrageous Success for Working Women," inspires people to take charge of their lives and grow their careers and business. To find out more, check out www.new-job-search.com.