Reputation: Actions speak louder than Words

I think that in every organization one is in, they have some sort of reputation. Whether that be in the Society of Women in Business, your sorority or fraternity, or an internship/job, the manner in which you carry and portray yourself affects the opinion that others have of you.  In a larger organization, it may be that you are fly under the radar, but being the “uninvolved one” can be a reputation in itself.

Personally, I believe that my reputation is portrayed similarly in the organizations that I participate in on campus.  As for both the Society of Women in Business and my sorority, I’d say that others see me as an organized, involved individual who puts forth her best effort and enjoys what she does.  I think that I have obtained this reputation in both organizations because of past involvement.  I have been involved with the Society of Women in Business and my sorority for several years now, and I have contributed through committees and leadership positions.  These actions and the ability to deliver results have shaped my reputation.  In order to keep this reputation in tact, I take on more responsibility within both organizations as it’s presented to me. I think that this comes naturally though, and I don’t put much thought into becoming more involved.

Similarly, I think that it is also very easy to build a reputation at work. I think that in the past, I also built some sort of reputation at my summer internship.  I believe that this was largely dependent upon the way in which I carried myself and the first impressions that my coworkers had of me, because I was only with the firm for a short amount of time.  However, I also think that the work that I produced had a large impact on my reputation.

Senioritis is a perfect example of a time in which I will most likely stray away from my reputation.  As I wrap up first semester with a job already lined up for when I graduate, it is very difficult to stay focused and maintain the reputation that I have established for myself.  My motivation is probably at an all time low, however, I still want to be successful in my last year of school and prove that my reputation does truly reflect who I am.

Reputation acts as a promise to an experience good.  Time allows others to see how you act in situations, how you deliver results and how you carry yourself in general.  One can assume that you will act one way from your reputation, but oftentimes, they won’t know your ability to deliver (the experience good in this hypothetical) until they have worked with you on a project, assignment, or in another situation in which they can see your experience, whether that be a certain trait, like artistic ability, work ethic, etc., first hand.