Elizabeth Openshaw 
Get ahead by creating a positive personal brand in the workplace – here's how
Respectful. Kind. Productive. Collaborative. Trustworthy. Reliable. There are many more desirable qualities that can improve your image in the workplace, but these are certainly a good start. It's true that, armed with these traits, most UK employees would do their best not to let others down, making them some of the most helpful and honest colleagues around. But why does cultivating a good reputation at work matter anyway, and how do you hold onto it?
Why is it important to have a good reputation at work?
Global entrepreneur Richard Branson said it best: All you have in business is your reputation – so it's very important that you keep your word.
Your overall reputation can provide leverage in your job, your career, and your life in general. Moreover, achieving a good reputation at work is beneficial to your career satisfaction and self-esteem as it:
Gives you self-assurance
With a good reputation at work, you can build your confidence, meaning you'll have more faith in yourself to perform tasks and achieve goals.
Builds robust professional relationships
If you view yourself positively, and so do your colleagues, it's a win-win situation. Having built up that trust, you can achieve more by fostering deeper, more valuable, partnerships. This leads to more collaboration and connections within your network, and more fulfilment overall.
Advances job opportunities
If you make a name for yourself for achieving objectives and getting on with everyone, this can lead to advancement in your career, as your manager is more likely to offer you a raise or be willing to discuss promotion opportunities.
Provides you with job security
With workmates, managers, and clients approving of you and your good reputation at work, you're going to feel more secure in your role. With this sense of security in place, you can focus on performing to a high standard, while identifying and generating innovative solutions within your role.
5 strategies to cultivate a good reputation at work
So how do you build a positive and strong reputation in the workplace? Heed our advice below:
1. Go above and beyond what's expected of you
Start by going above and beyond what's expected of you. This can be done by taking on a range of additional duties, such as providing three examples when you were only asked for one, sending a completed project across in the afternoon instead of the next morning, or offering to train up a new team member.
This will work wonders for your career, and make you stand out as the person who demonstrates initiative. To be even more visible, volunteer to take on a project that everyone else is rejecting. It might be a pain, but this extra work will pay off in shedloads by painting you in a good light in the eyes of your boss.
An example within your CV to demonstrate how this showcases a good reputation at work is:
- Developed initiatives that improved the level of staff support so employees were empowered to take ownership of their own career aspirations, ensuring all requirements for upskilling were met
Expert tip: Don't overdo it though by taking on so much extra responsibility that you suffer burnout, or only complete tasks half-heartedly. That's not going to do your reputation any good at all!
2. Offer your opinion with tact
As an employee, remember that you've been hired because you possess the skills and knowledge to improve the company. Therefore, your opinion is valuable.
If you want to create a good reputation at work, remember that it's better to offer your opinion tactfully, rather than bluntly or not at all. By offering your thoughts appropriately, via suggesting rather than questioning, while using an appropriate communicative style, you'll refrain from serving up a side dish of rudeness. As a result, not only will you prove that you're great to work with, but you'll show that you're knowledgeable and forward-thinking, too.
An example within your CV to demonstrate how this showcases a good reputation at work is:
- Builds an outstanding reputation for resolving problems with others in a tactful and efficient way while boosting the morale of colleagues even during times of adversity
3. Keep complaints to a minimum
We all know that work can be tough at times. But rather than complaining to anyone and everyone who'll listen, it's better to handle your feelings of negativity in a more constructive manner.
Complaining is a seriously toxic behaviour and, as you may expect, complainers don't have the most professional of reputations. To avoid a crumbling workplace reputation, try developing solutions for areas of your work that you don't like, or embrace a different outlook.
An example within your CV to demonstrate how this showcases a good reputation at work is:
- An accomplished Programme Manager, with refined listening qualities, who builds and maintains strong links with colleagues and clients alike
Expert tip: To steer clear of conflict at work that can lead to complaints, practise reflective listening, where you listen to what someone says, then repeat it back to ensure you've understood it correctly.
4. Go that extra mile to help others
Go out of your way to help, whether that's by offering an extra hand when a colleague is inundated with paperwork or by simply making them look great in a meeting. These actions can be extremely rewarding for both your sense of self and your career. It also shows your boss that you're ready to take on more opportunities.
An example within your CV to demonstrate how this showcases a good reputation at work is:
- A meticulous Construction Worker who goes that extra mile to achieve the best possible outcome by helping coworkers achieve all goals
5. Do what you say you'll do – consistently!
Doing what you say you'll do will help build your good reputation at work in several ways. Firstly, it shows you're a team player, you can be counted on, and you deliver effectively. Secondly, it demonstrates that you're trustworthy and can maintain confidence in all matters at work. Finally, it illustrates that you know your stuff and can take the pressure.
An example within your CV to demonstrate how this showcases a good reputation at work is:
- A consistent and meticulous Business Analyst able to anticipate problems, then build contingency plans to deal with them
How to change your reputation at work – for the better
What if you started off on the wrong foot at your company? How can you transform your professional image into a more positive one? If you've gained a bad reputation at work, it's probably time to turn it around… unless you don't want anyone to come to your leaving do, except to cheer you out the door!
The simple steps below should help you resolve any issues and have you come up smelling of roses!
Be accountable
If you've made a mistake, own up to it. Easy. Well… maybe not, but swallow your pride, and go for it. “Sorry” really isn't the hardest word, so take ownership for doing something wrong. Colleagues will respect you so much more, and your improving reputation at work will start to emerge.
Let others in
Make it obvious that you're accommodating colleagues' and supervisors' needs. This is especially pertinent if your previous actions meant workflow was affected. Offer workmates a helping hand to finish their tasks. This will show your willingness to put others before yourself, helping regain their trust in you.
Keep learning
Learning from your mistakes can see you develop professionally. Remember, everyone makes mistakes. We wouldn't be human if we didn't! It's how you react to them that matters, so show your commitment to learn from them and move forward.
Reach out to a mentor
One way to keep learning is to ask for feedback. Seek others' perspective on what you should have done, and your improvement areas. Finding a mentor in the same field will help, as they can push you to be better, as well as show colleagues that you mean business while improving your reputation.
Be positive
This means coming into the office in the morning with a cheery, “Hello,” encouraging coworkers when challenges are upon them, and being receptive to any feedback. If you're positive, this can rub off on others, and continue to help your reputation.
Look to the future
OK, so you might have said something unprofessional or made an error, but that's been and gone. It's time to look forward by giving your full attention to upcoming projects, and having an optimistic approach within the workplace at all times.
Expert tip: It will take time to repair a poor reputation, so be patient, and allow colleagues the space to re-evaluate you, and how you approach things differently now.
Go and build that superb reputation!
By following our 5 strategies, you'll soon build up a good reputation at work, and be heading to career success in no time.
Does your CV need a boost? Try our free CV review today and let our experts help you highlight your strong professional brand in your next application.
This article was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Elizabeth Openshaw.