Fix your work reputation

Your reputation is one of your most important assets, so don’t let a mistake at work interfere with your dreams.

If you need a career turnaround, follow these tips from Emily Bennington, author of Effective Immediately and Who Says It’s a Man’s World to repair your damaged reputation and get back on track at work.

1. Get to work early. Bennington notes: “Most colleagues aren’t around to see who stays late, but it’s hard to miss the employee who shows the initiative to come early.”

Not only can you make a good impression, but getting to work early eliminates any need to rush to set yourself up for the day. When you come into a quiet office—before your boss, ideally—you’ll have a chance to plan for a successful and productive day. Don’t hesitate to occasionally take a walk around first thing in the morning so people know you’re a go-getter and get an early start. (You may be surprised by the impression it leaves.)

2. Write down your priorities. “Keep a notebook and write down your top five priorities each morning or, ideally, the night before,” Bennington suggests.

3. Do the work. If you’ve let down your guard and earned a reputation as someone who is less focused, one of the best things you can do is put your head down and focus. “Keep track of the details and be alert for things your supervisor is likely to ask for next,” Bennington says. “When possible, try to deliver on those things too.

4. Stay positive. Never let people know when you’re frustrated. Bennington advises, “Ask questions to clarify anything you don’t understand, but stay positive.

5. Keep a check on your attitude. Expect colleagues to judge you based on how you act. Bennington says, “Run your behavior through this filter multiple times each day. Literally stop and ask yourself, ‘How’s my attitude right now?'” She also suggests asking yourself, “Am I showing initiative? Am I being as productive as possible?”

Don’t beat yourself up too much if you make some early mistakes at work, but recognize it’s up to you to rectify the situation. Your behavior and attitude directly impact what people think of you as a colleague, which will either hurt or help you when it’s time to go for a promotion or find a new opportunity.

Read the post on my U.S. News & World Report column.

photo by by jeffedoe

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