Some people don’t need to apply for new jobs. Some people just seem to be offered promotions. They are often assigned the most interesting projects and their opinions are sought when a big call has to be made. What is it about these people that makes this happen? And happen so effortlessly?
It’s quite possibly down to credibility.
Credibility may seem like a nebulous quality, but, in reality, there are a number of traits you can work on if you want to increase yours.
1. Communication
People with great personal credibility are usually great communicators. They communicate their message well and they listen intensely. To build your personal credibility, you need to:
- listen genuinely and intently to everyone you speak with. Strive to understand the issues and the perspectives of the speaker. To have any influence over people you speak with, you need to understand what’s important to them and why.
- pause before speaking. A few moments to gather thoughts and make sure you say what you really mean to say will have a big impact on the listener.
- work at clarity. Ensure people have understood you properly and that, in turn, you understand them.
Being a very strong communicator imbues a huge amount of credibility.
2. Decision-making
To build your personal credibility, you need to be able to make great decisions with ease. When you approach decision-making:
- ask questions to understand the situation
- gather all of the considerations and options from relevant people
- weigh up the risks and returns
- think through the consequences of a decision
- don’t delay unnecessarily, just make the decision.
This considered decisiveness is much admired by people and will enhance your credibility.
3. Appearance
Clearly, substance is more important than style, but those with high credibility understand that they are taken more seriously when they are dressed with care and are well–groomed.
4. Energy
Go-to people never seem to be flagging or lacking in energy. They seem to be brimming with ideas and ‘get up and go’. They’re never too tired to take on a new project or face a new challenge. If you watch them closely, you’ll notice that this isn’t by accident. They:
- eat and drink sensibly to maintain energy levels throughout the day and they have a generally healthy lifestyle
- exercise regularly
- get enough sleep.
Investment in your well-being has a healthy return on your career development!
5. Attitude
If you’re looking to build your personal credibility, your default answer needs to be ‘yes’, rather than ‘no’. You need to find ways to make things happen, rather than focus on obstacles.
People with positive attitudes are considered to be much more effective than the ‘glass half empty’ brigade.
6. Confidence
It goes without saying that unless you believe in yourself, there’s little chance of others believing in you. Highly credible people understand this and work hard to display confidence (but not arrogance). Unless you show you’re confident, no-one else will have confidence in what you’re saying or doing.
Personal credibility has always been essential, and, as the business world becomes increasingly more competitive, it’s more vital than ever. As recognised by American writer, Rebecca Solnit, “credibility is a basic survival tool”. And by mastering a few straight-forward skills you could be on the way to becoming a hugely credible person yourself.
About the Author:
Heather Foley is a consultant at etsplc.com, a UK-based HR consultancy and technology company
