How to Get Taken Seriously: 7 Ways to Upgrade Your Reputation at Work

How can you lay the groundwork for the job of your dreams—and keep everyone’s respect once you get it? Here are a few basics, shared in the spirit of solidarity!

Don’t Wear Boots to the Office: You have to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Now, I like wearing my boots when I’m out for a stroll with my dog. But they make me look like I’m shuffling, which says, “I can’t be bothered.” Not the right message at work. Consider: A lawyer friend got picked to argue his first case because he was the only one wearing a suit when there was an emergency at the courthouse. When it’s your turn to shine, do you really want to be wearing boots?

Write Better Emails: Go easy on the exclamation points and emoji—your boss doesn’t need to be prompted to smile. And remember: New topic equals new email chain and new subject line. This can help people easily find previous messages when they’re needed. Also, keep emails spare and specific by using bullet points and intuitive titles such as “Friday’s Delivery Issue: Solved.”

Find Your Strong Voice: Behind your chest bone at the top of your diaphragm is a little power center. You turn on the power center by taking a breath and tightening your core as if someone were about to punch you. Speak from there. This exercise helps me make whatever I say more convincing.

Know When to Zip It: Former Vice President Dick Cheney liked to say, “You never get in trouble for something you didn’t say.” Exactly! Sometimes listening can be even more valuable than talking.

Make Time for the Important People: Life is never to busy to not make time for Impotent people in your life. If you do not make time for those people, they may not be there when you need them.

Don’t Dwell : There will be times in your life when things just do not go the way you want them to go. You can give a good argument about said subject but sometimes you just cannot sell it. You have to let them go.” I did, which made space in my head for more productive thinking.

Be a Schedule Warrior : One of my pet peeves is hearing people brag about how busy they are. I finally realized there’s only one person who can help me keep a decent schedule, and that’s me. I’ve learned to say no to requests and not feel bad about it, and every day I make time for myself where my cell phone is not allowed. That’s when I recharge. Instead of complaining about how busy I am, I now say, “I’ve found really good balance.” That shocks people! I say it even if I don’t feel that way, but it’s becoming more believable—even to me.

David Trippett, Executive Coach: MBA, ICF, Six Sigma, 603-321-6911 DTEC@comcast.net http://coachdtec.com www.facebook.com/pages/David-Trippett-Executive-Coach-MBA-ICF-Six-Sigma