Incredible, Credibility and Being Incredulous

I recall watching Donald Trump’s television series ‘The Apprentice’, where his piece de resistance is when he utters his infamous last words ‘You’re fired!’ He is fond of comparing apprentices who are either book smart or street smart although he would, inevitably, lean towards a balanced approach since he is highly educated businessman and entrepreneur.

In our personal branding, our reputation, credibility and honour truly matter. If we are to face others, on a professional level, then we have to consider our many faces. Consulting expert Peter Block refers to the many masks we wear everyday.

Your credibility is based on how skillful and experienced you are, and how your clients relate to you. Thus, rapport is part of the process of engagement with others. Your credibility is enhanced by how knowledgeable you are, and how one’s tacit wisdom can be used to assist your clients in their strategies and tactics in business.

If you think that textbook knowledge alone can build your reputation outside of the business arena, you may be highly confident and lucky. For the many of us, it requires that we do the hard yards – do the time, and pay our dues. For instance, if you are working with seasoned corporate leaders about business matters, it would be highly useful and relevant to have had similar experience as a corporate leader, entrepreneur or business owner. Otherwise, it would make little sense to, quote by rote, case studies and strategems from textbook research.

Those new to self-employment or are building their own business, would benefit most by sheer hard work. This requires time, persistence, optimism, determination and patience. Many things in life don’t come easy. If you want to complete a marathon, you will have to diligently do the distance. If you want to excel in endurance sports, you will have to smartly train harder, eat well, rest adequately and stay injury-free. That is how you build a robust reputation in the event, and even enhance your overall ranking.

If we are to start a new profession or career, we need to return to our roots: go back to a foundational level, focus on competencies, and be hungry. Hunger is a major motivator towards learning, and getting things done. It sustains our sparks of ambition and provides us with reasons to stay committed to our personal cause. Disappointments come with the territory of attempts, even in a new career or business. Every new venture and adventure is an emotional process that alters our attitude and mindset. That is why, at times, we may unfairly conclude that the client is ignorant, stubborn or apathetic.

What are you doing to build your credibility as a professional and leader? How do you become incredible? How do you make the mundane and ordinary moments become incredulous?