Personal Branding through Responsibility
You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do. Henry Ford.
The price of Greatness is Responsibility. Sir Winston Churchill.
I agree with Henry Ford. However, I do not agree with the great Winston Churchill.
I feel strongly that RESPONSIBILITY is the price EVERYONE needs to pay for a good life, and for happy relationships. Greatness, which comes much later, is built on the foundations that we establish through the responsibility we take on a day to day basis. Credibility is what we can expect to achieve as we continue to travel on that highway.
In my article on Trust and Credibility , my 7th point was captioned See it through. Here are some examples on how we can achieve more:
1. Response Able? Very often people take up responsibility without having the ability to deliver what is required. Sometimes, the have the ability, but they are not clear on the outcome that is required. So they end up doing the wrong thing. When in doubt... ask! Begin only when you are clear on what is required.
2. Core Competence If the activity you have undertaken is not within the area of your core competence, then it may be wise to consider if there is someone else who is better suited for the job. However, if the team is small, and there is no one else to take up the responsibility, do offer to try it out, and then do whatever is required to become as competent as possible in that area of activity. In today's world, people who have multiple intelligences, are worth their weight in gold. So do your best to try out new activities, as this will give you an opportunity to build new skills.
3. Diligence. The best thing we can do on any activity... is to do our best. After you take responsibility for anything, deliver it as though it is a masterpiece. Any work that you do has your signature on it. Let that signature reflect the perfection of your unique persona. A shabby job will lower your image. A masterpiece will reinforce your personal brand.
4. Closure. A gift looks better when it is wrapped beautifully. It looks even more beautiful if it has a rosette, or a ribbon to add a finishing touch. A personal note will make it memorable. How can we incorporate these ideas into every activity or project that we undertake? Can we close it with a short and sweet report? Can we add a effective and creative covering note? Would the report be more appealing if it is formatted using a word processor? Will pictures or graphics add value and readability? If it is in hard copy, would spiral binding enhance its appeal? Remember... the Job isn't complete until the paperwork is done.
5. Follow up. Some of the most efficient people I know will not only send the report, but they will simultaneously send you a SMS, or a short mail... stating that the report or mail has been dispatched.
Leaving a message with a fellow colleague is also acceptable if the key person is not available, but it is still your responsibility till you complete the next two points...
6. Acknowledgement and Acceptance. After handing over the closure report, it is essential that it is accepted, and found to be useful. Sometimes, it may still have to be worked on, or amended. Please ensure that you take it back, and do what is necessary. When the final report is accepted, you may then consider your work well done.
7. Future Capability. Greatness will be yours, only when you can continuously learn something and implement the next job at a slightly higher level. Don't be content with doing something well... strive instead for at least a 1% improvement. Otherwise, you will stagnate, and thwart the principle of evolution. Striving for a little more... will gain you a lot more. Getting feedback from the person receiving the report... and also from the other members of your team will not expose your weakness... it will only show you how to do better the next time... and this is essential if you want to fulfill your purpose on this planet. Why be good when you can be better? Why settle for Better, when you can be The BEST?
Happy Succeeding.
Ian Faria.
(The author is a corporate trainer, motivational speaker, counselor and consultant who specializes in Organizational and Personal Enhancement). faria@a-pep.com
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