Reputation matters

In the very beginning, it is important to establish in simplest terms what ‘reputation’ means? Cambridge Dictionary defines the word/term as, ‘the opinion that people in general have about someone or something, or how much respect or admiration someone or something receives, based on past behaviour’; Collins dictionary says, “To have a reputation for something means to be known or remembered for it”, additionally it further explains, “something or someone’s reputation is the opinion that people have about how good they are, if they have a good reputation, people, think, they are good”. Reputation hence is the estimation in which a person or thing is generally held ... it is a general opinion between the extreme poles of recognition of being held in high esteem and fame arising out of notoriety. Thomas Paine puts it differently and more remarkably, “Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us”. This writer subscribes to Thomas Paine’s views.

The focus of this write up is not something’ but ‘someone’. That someone is a single person. It can be you, it can be me or it can be anyone. The centrality of the theme is personal reputation’. It is not merely about the leader’s reputation, but is largely about the reputation of the followers, as individual constituents. Leadership, corporate or otherwise, is a reflection of the sum total of the personal reputation of the followers. There is no leadership without follower ship, regardless of whether it is of people or principles. Followers must be seen in the context of loyalty to people or principles.

The adherence to universally accepted principles of behaviour and character determines, “reputation”. Followers create leaders. If the followers are low on reputation, that is to say, if the society is composed of people with vulnerabilities in their character, conduct and behaviour, it is foolish to expect that such a society can be led or have “reputational leadership”. This is true of the business enterprises and the corporate sector. I will stay away from corporate reputation, and instead, concentrate on “personal reputation”.

Team members give respect to their managers only when they are convinced that the person is a man/woman of character and substance. Someone who will stand up for principles, someone who will be unbending to injustice, someone who will never indulge or permit and sanction by expressed support or silent acquiescence, to any practices that flirt with the body of ethical and moral standards, of a respectable and honest society.

The inner make up of sentiments and emotions gets reflected in our everyday behaviour and attitudes. No man or woman is better than his/her words. A biblical proverb says, “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he”.

Reputation is built upon the edifice of character. The foundations of character have to be strong, for reputation to rise. High buildings have deep foundations, so also those who have a outstanding and impeccable reputation will always have stable and strong character.

Character is that invisible trait that can be smelled of only when it starts to stink; otherwise when camouflaged, it appears and shines as honourable and respectable. Most of us fall prey to disguised characters, despite knowing that all that glitters is not gold. Emerson crafted these beautiful lines regarding character, “People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character “.

The character of a manager must represent his/her limitations. A person of reputable character in an unjust environment would have more foes than friends. The lining to our persona/character is only a thin veneer that rubs off at the tiniest friction … a small intrusion into the character, will yield before us, the true person. Character is divine and must be consigned to strict security and constant guarding, for it can never be regained, if it is lost.

Human history records sayings such as, “Have regard for your name, since it will remain for you longer than a great store of gold”. A good name has to be earned by dint of truth and fair dealings, because it is not a matter of choice. A manager is expected to speak truth and complete truth to his/her teammates. There is no room for either negotiability nor for engaging in extremely expedient duplicity. The leader if found short on commitment to the highest standards of character, will, invariably, will lose respect and following.

I have seen senior management colleagues use board approved policies selectively. Especially those related to HR functions. Those policies that go towards providing some perks, benefits, etc to colleagues are stacked away. These are not circulated. The manager/owner wants to keep the discretion, whom to bestow and whom to deny. They selectively give out the benefits approved by the board for all based on performance, whims, likes, dislikes, etc.

Obviously such managers care very little about their personal reputation. Such are never trusted by the members who are under his/her leadership. Reputation is most fragile; it hinges delicately upon the pivot of conduct displayed at the spur of the moment. It is in a state of surprise that you discover the real person. Falsehood in behaviour destroys years of reputation in a moment. A single word of slander (even if it is only alleged) annihilates reputation. In this world of social media activism, there is greater need to protect reputation. A single ill worded post or reaction can damage reputation irreversibly. With every negative act, word a part of reputation dies.

Character is within one’s control; reputation is not. It is made of bohemian crystal and its ownership is in the hands of others. One can protect one’s character but reputation forever is at stake and vulnerability. If broken, it cannot be mended.

‘There are two modes of establishing one’s reputation; to be praised by honest men and to be abused by rogues’. ( Charles Colton). Even in inky darkness a good name shines forever. Reputation has to be developed and nurtured. How one wishes to be perceived by others? It must be clarified to oneself. Bodhi Sanders in his book on living or manners, forget the title, says, “your reputation is what others think of you; your character is what you truly are”. He goes on to state what I personally don’t agree with is that reputation can be manipulated, and that character can only be developed and maintained. In my view the moment any attempt is made to manipulate reputation , the character takes a nose dive. The argument is contradictory. I believe that reputation is a mere reflection of character. If any wishes to look good in the eyes of others, they ought to make sincere efforts to get there. The skill to see oneself as others see is something that needs to be mastered. “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing “( Abraham Lincoln).

To build solid reputation, there is need to look at oneself as a ‘brand’. What brand do you wish to be, must be answered, before going towards making a brand. Define yourself of how you wish to be seen by others. Your personal brand is dependent upon with whom do you associate with; men of respect or otherwise; persons of known integrity or otherwise, persons of high intellect or dumbos … we have to make a choice. The Hound and the Hare cannot reside together inside you. A choice must be made. If one cannot find good company, it is better to be alone.

Since reputation emerges from character, it is a need to focus on building the character. A manager desirous of good reputation must be truthful, honest, exhibit openness, transparency; make full disclosures, not use expediency as a tool of manipulation and management. A reputed professional will have in him/her highest standards of integrity, ethics and morality. Care should be excercised to know that the body language and thoughts expressed are in sync. Managers of repute show spine to stand up to difficult situations. They tend to ignore negative comments and sentiments, and usually are masters in navigating out of stressful circumstances, with a smile dancing on their face. They move on…

Those who are cognisant of the importance of character and reputation lead a careful life. Indiscretions are avoided. In the words of Will Rogers, “Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town of gossip”.

The writer is a senior banker and a freelance columnist.