‘In Theory’ is not ‘Always in Practice’ With Reputation

Agree or disagree:

“If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of me.”

Dwight L. Moody

In theory, this seems like an absolute truth, doesn’t it? Yet in reality, is it? Not only am I not so sure, I’ll respectfully argue, “no, it is not.” Why though?

Please don’t get me wrong, I fully believe that when we diligently attend to and “take care” of our character, our reputation will benefit much more often than not. It’s just that I also fully believe and know beyond a shadow of a doubt through evidence that devotion to character building and attentiveness to it is simply not sufficient for our reputation to “take care of” us.

Why though?

People, of course. There’s perceptions not rooted in understanding or evidence. Appearances can mislead. There’s bias. There’s false allegations. There’s trouble always lurking around the corner that we might not be able to foresee and predict.

Realize then, that yes, be disciplined always in building and protecting good character yet also know that we can and should have a plan of action that we implement now and later, especially the more high profile someone or some organization is, to be ready for the troubles that could come our way, suddenly and painfully.

Michael Toebe is the founder and specialist at Reputation Quality, a practice that serves and helps successful individuals and organizations in further building reputation as an asset in an ethical manner and when necessary, ethically, responsibly and successfully protecting, restoring or reconstructing its health.