Image and Power- Mr. Personality

Having a good reputation in life is like money in the bank

You might think that all you need to get around is to earn enough dough. And although we don’t know any person who wouldn’t want to be bathed in moolah, building a solid reputation ensures you not only pats on the back and frequent compliments, but it provides strong backgrounds and relationships—which eventually leads to success in career and with the ladies. Here are some things you must remember about building a beefy rep, so people will refer to you as, “the nice guy.” First of all, let us just remind you that being a nice guy is actually a good thing. So enjoy it, because if all else fails, you’d have scored points with “The Guy Up There.”

A chain of little good deeds

We all know of fellas who we refer to as the kind of guy you’d want your daughter to marry one day (except when you’re the same age as he is). This is the man you want around for parties and card games, and someone you want to be with during out-of-town trips because, yep, you can always rely on him—he’s “the nice guy.” It may seem like sissy acts to muster up, but a great reputation starts out with sincere smiles and greetings to the neighbors, giving up your seat on the MRT for an old lady, giving a sick friend some chicken soup (or chicks) in bed, to as huge as being known for your fairness in judgment, the strength of your word and so on. But you have to remember that reputations aren’t built overnight—so don’t expect to be giving up your seats to the elderly only once or twice, and giving the old lady the boot the next. It must be a continuous string of kind deeds in order for people to start referring to you as the new Christ…

So now you’re Mr. Personality…

Genuine smiles to the strangers at work—check. Picked up entire neighborhood kids after school (even if you don’t have any of your own)—check. Skipped like a schoolgirl all the way to the office from your car—we hope not. Known as the most trustworthy insurance salesman in Manila—check. So far, so good.

Reputation Amputation

Things are looking up for you because you go away over the quota every time, and your commissions like gravy flowing through your hands—up until your company dropped the bomb that insurance premiums you’re selling are gonna rise soon. No biggie for you at this point, even though this sets you back a couple of clients you promised old rates to. Suddenly, your old customers start pulling out their plans and you notice some smoke coming out of their ears. They think you’re slacking off, and are not who you used to be. What do you do now, Mr. Sun Life of Canada? The dependable, trustworthy guy you built yourself to be is slowly slipping away, and yup, people around you, especially those who invested money in you, will take notice.

Your Reputation Sticks With You

It happens every day—one day an NBA superstar is accused of harassment a politician gets caught in drag wear, you find out your mother is a prostitute, etc. It takes a lifetime to build one’s reputation, but it only takes day to bring you down. A good rep however, sticks-so in case you find yourself straying from the path, people are more forgiving. The problem lies in those who have been labeled with a bad reputation from the start. No matter how much volunteer work you do, or how many kidnappers you’ve foiled, people around are thinking at the back of their minds that you’re gonna snap soon, and hell will break loose again. This is why you should work hard at staving clean and true.

Integrity Spreads Like Buttah On Toast

Word about a person’s character gets around at lightning speed. All of a sudden, when you’re slipping a little here and there, people are avoiding you and nobody wants to vouch for your integrity anymore. It is vital to start out young, or if you’ve missed the niceness train entirely, start your kids out early with a solid reputation because chances are, whatever they are known to be early on will stay with them for life.

Keep Your Mouth Shut

Lastly, don’t go around trashing other people’s reps to spice up your own. Not only is it plain gay, but your charades are gonna last a month, and the shit will hit the fan. The best thing to do when you know dirt about other is to keep quiet about it, and let it explode on its own good time. In the meantime, you can go back to the ol’ drawing board- help out a friend in the need, carry some groceries for the lady with 8 kids, or save a drowning puppy. See how those fare in creating a good reputation. And that, my friend, is stronger than oak.

HOW TO CREATE A GOOD REP

1. 1. Smile–sincerely and not so wide.
2. 2. Be true to your word–nobody likes a liar.
3. 3. Don’t be late—be considerate with other people’s time.
4. 4. Dress appropriately—for every occasion.
5. 5. Be tactful—always be careful of what you say.