Renewal Group
  • Blog
  • Guests
  • Events
  • Free Downloads
  • Renewalgroup.com

What’s Your Credibility Rating?

9/6/2012

6 Comments

 
Picture
I’m sure you’re aware of what a credit rating is—also referred to as a score. It’s the number that gets assigned to you by institutions that collect data about your money handling behavior. And that number can be the deciding factor in many life decisions, such as purchasing a car or a home, and in some cases even getting hired.

Unfortunately, many people go about life not knowing their credit score until the moment they’ve made a big decision—only to shockingly find out their credit rating is not high enough to get approved for what they want. Does this sound familiar? It’s never a pleasant experience to be told you are not credit worthy.

Once the shock, disappointment and maybe anger subsides, you might start racking your brain trying to figure out what the heck is in that report thwarting you from getting what you want.  Trying to find the answer can be just as unpleasant as receiving the rejection.

Before long, it begins to sink in that information about how you live your life is constantly being monitored and evaluated by unknown people in unknown organizations in the most dispassionate way. Even more disturbing is that you may find out that the information is inaccurate. It can make you feel helpless and powerless.

In some aspects, your credit rating is similar to your credibility rating. But in other respects, your credibility rating is far more important because it impacts the most valuable asset you have—TRUST. Everything in life revolves around this powerful emotion. It can disrupt global financial systems and ruin a valued relationship. And once it’s lost, the ability to recover and regain one’s credibility is less than assured. Forget about buying it back—even if your credit rating is excellent, trust is never for sale.

Yet everyday we take risks with our credibility rating by not paying attention to our words and deeds. Just like the credit rating agencies, every day people observe and experience what we do and how we do it and make decisions based on how well our words and actions are aligned with the values we espouse as well as a set of commonly held values: respect, compassion, honesty, responsibility, and fairness. These moments of credibility are not stored in a dispassionate computer in some unknown location—they are stored in the hearts and minds of the people we interact with and have relationships with. They become our relationship capital. Eventually, these credibility data points accumulate to the extent that our credibility will be damaged or lost, or if we’re lucky, honored with a seal of trustworthiness.

Life is difficult enough without having to live without credibility. Imagine going through an entire day knowing everyone you encounter questions or is suspicious of your motives, your sincerity, your honesty, and your fairness.

No matter what position(s) or title(s) you hold in life—father, mother, supervisor, leader, or teacher—your credibility rating is paramount. Without relationship capital and without trust, you cannot influence, you cannot lead, and your most important wants and desires are at risk of being unfulfilled.

Don’t wait to find out your rating. Start today by asking, “Am I walking my talk? What I say and do—are these things in alignment with my stated values? Do they portray a sense of respect, caring, honesty, and fairness?”

Connect with people you know and trust and ask for their honest assessment. Asking for feedback is a courageous activity. Once your strength and confidence grows, extend your feedback process and circle with colleagues and employees. Whatever feedback you get about your credibility rating is a gift. Because now you know your “score”—and you won’t be shocked and rejected later when it matters most.
 




6 Comments
Lynda
9/6/2012 02:49:39 am

Great article Tom! The analogy to a credit score makes the topic of credibility so relatable! It is sad how often folks don't realize their credibility score until they apply for a promotion or new position; and then learn they did not get it, not because of a lack of technical capability, but because of a low credibility score. Is there a good credibility assessment tool around?

Reply
Tom
9/7/2012 03:52:07 am

Hi Lynda,

Always appreciate your feedback! I don't know of a specific credibility assessment. However, I have used trust assessment that gets at the issues that affect credibility. I'll send you the info

Reply
Larry Glover link
9/6/2012 11:54:03 pm

Ah, 'credibility score' and 'relationship capital....' What great ways to frame the value of being true to ourselves and to each other, to valuing those qualities and traits which truly do matter. "Relationships are the language of Life," I like to say. Thanks for this reminder, Tom, to care for my relationships as though they matter—because they do.

Reply
Tom
9/7/2012 03:52:50 am

I value your feedback and insight. Thanks

Reply
Richard
9/7/2012 05:42:05 am

Great article Tom! I was reflecting how more similar the two ideas of credit score and credibility score are. As you point out, the credit score may be inaccurate. So too can the credibility score, since our trustworthiness to others is based on their assessments of us - ie what they are able to see based on their experience, history and 'eyes'.
So we need to pay attention to the way people who are important to us are listening, as well as the actions we take.
So the question is not only, 'I am walking the talk?', but 'Is it visible to the people who are important to me?'

Reply
Tom
9/7/2012 10:48:00 am

Richard,
Thanks for the Feedback and I agree with, "is it visible to the people who are important to me?" Hopefully when one asks for feedback about their credibility score these assessments will emerge in the conversations.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Follow us 
    Twitter
    LinkedIn
    Facebook 


    Enter your email address to subscribe


    RSS Feed


    About Us

    Our Purpose
    To provide leaders and organizations with the skills and tools to sustain optimal engagement, performance and competitiveness and cultures that afford all stakeholders the highest levels of safety and well-being.


    Events

    Time: April 26- 28, 2011
    Location: Evonik Industries Greensboro, NC, U.S.
    Quality Boot Camp 
    Creating a Department Mission and Vision Program



    Categories

    All
    About Us
    Audio
    Authenticity
    Bullying
    Carrots And Sticks
    Change
    Climate
    Communication
    Culture
    Egagement
    Emotional Intelligence
    Engagement
    Leadership
    Management
    Mindfulness
    Motiation
    Motivation
    Neuroscience
    Optimism
    Recognition
    Resiliency
    Return On Safety
    Rewards
    Safety
    Safety Culture
    Sales
    Strengths
    Stress
    Supervision
    Values
    Workforce Engagement
    Workforce Engagment
    World View

    Archives

    January 2018
    March 2017
    February 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013
    November 2012
    September 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.