Workplace Communication ? How to Use Credibility to Gain Respect ...

Workplace Communication ? How to Use Credibility to Gain Respect and Create a Positive Impression

Credibility is a critical component of good communication. Understanding the types of credibility can help you create a positive impression of yourself even before a face-to-face introduction.

Credibility is the sense and proof of believability you portray to another. Credibility is fluid, what appears and sounds credible to one person may not be the same for you. The more aligned someone?s values and morals are to your own the more someone appears believable. If you have ever tried to communicate with someone you simply don?t believe you?ll realize just how little you value their words.

Here are the three forms of credibility and how you can use them to gain respect:

Initial ? This is credibility that precedes you. It is formed by what others say, read and hear about you. It is your reputation and you create it by your education, title, training, and writing. Today?s instant messaging mediums and news creation (as opposed to reporting) means others can influence how people see you.

Refusing to play in the electronic communication arena does not mean you?ll escape the effects of it. Not engaging sends the message that you are not up-to-date, you are hiding something or that you have no influence in your field of work.

Here?s what to do:

Monitoring your electronic reputation is critical. Use good sense, awareness and caution when using social media. Keep business communication and social banter with friends separate. As far as possible, know who is connected to you. Remember that everything is forever on the web.

Use your resume, business cards, web sites, books etc. to convey the message that you are of good character, charitable and trustworthy. Create a sense of respect beforehand.

Derived ? This is the credibility that is created during face-to-face communication. This type of credibility has a dynamic flow. A single word, a gesture or your tone of voice can shift how you are perceived and believed. When your presentation does not match your reputation your credibility begins to increase or decrease. Keep in mind that it is more difficult to recover from a poor reputation than it is to correct a good one that has gone off track.

Here?s what to do:

Have a sense of how others perceive you. If you have worked hard to create a positive reputation follow through with your posture, voice, gestures, dress, mannerisms and verbal communication. Use all of those elements to bolster your self-confidence. Confidence is inspiring and appealing. Cultivate self-confidence but avoid arrogance. Use humor when appropriate.

Terminal ? Terminal credibility is not a disease rather it is what you leave behind-a legacy without the death part. What will others say when you leave the room? What feelings will you impart ?a sense of good will and positivity or a sense of doubt and uncertainty?

Here?s what to do:

Check your perceptions. Ask for feedback and become acutely aware of how you are appearing to others. Follow up by doing what you say you will do.

Don?t leave credibility to chance. What you do and communicate outside of the workplace can have an impact on your credibility in the workplace. Put your credibility to work for you and you?ll gain respect quickly.

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Tags: Communication, Create, Credibility, Gain, Impression, Positive, Respect, Workplace

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