Managing your leadership reputation

Abstract

There has been a relative lack of interest in conventional leadership research in the concept of reputation and reputation management. However, this paper argues that it is critical for leaders to actively manage their reputation as their authority, power and influence will depend on their success in actively managing their reputation, and their reputation is critically important in determining their career trajectory. Reputation is an intangible asset that reflects a set of memories, perceptions and opinions that sit in the consciousness of many different stakeholders at different levels which may change over time. There are two ways to look at reputation from the outside-in perspective which is outcome or results-focused which can be perceived by colleagues and an inside-out perspective which is focused on behavioral intentions, motivations and how we aspire to behave and which may only be known to ourselves. The author argues as to which factors are most important for establishing a good reputation., and he identifies the causes for reputation leakage which is short-term and recoverable and reputation derailment which is long-term and usually permanent. Finally, the paper details the steps that can be taken for a leader to start actively managing their reputation.