Your Reputation Does Not Live Inside of You

Last week, we hosted the first luncheon in this summer's Leadership Luncheon Series. Our featured speaker was Dr. Audrey Murrell, Director of the Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership. Her remarks on intelligent mentoring were inspiring. We all can typically use pointers on how to make the most of mentoring relationships whether you are the mentor or the mentee.

The take away that really stuck with me however, was her statement, "Your reputation does not live inside of you." With all we try to do to control other people's perception of us; attending the right events, Googling ourselves to make sure nothing inappropriate comes up, and tailoring our cover letters and resumes to make us stand out and be notices, it's still other people who make or break our reputation. One glowing recommendation, or one poor review from someone else decides your reputation.

Especially in a town like Pittsburgh, where we're all connected by the distance of one, maybe two people, our reputations are almost entirely the responsibility of others. And no matter what we blog, or tweet, or state on our Linkedin profiles about ourselves, none of that carries nearly as much weight as what someone else has to say about us.

So, while I'm certainly not going to quit my virtual relationships, or stop being strategic about my use of social media, I am going to remember to focus a bit more on the personal relationships IRL. After all, it's those relationships, the people who know me and work with me, who ultimately manage my reputation. And should you ask, I want to make sure they're answering with good things.

If you would like to connect with us on a more personal level, and hear about the leadership and efforts behind the Pittsburgh Promise, I encourage you to attend our next luncheon on Tuesday, July 26 with Saleem Ghubril. You can purchase tickets here. I look forward to meeting you.