Great & I think we have to be careful how we convey our experience & training knowledge so as not to damage our credibility.
Ryan
Yes, people do notice and note inconsistencies so if you are not truthful, you will not build credibility.
I agree in being someone who follows through on promises and commitments. I do make sure I am prepared by having done my homework so I am knowledgable about the subject at hand. I admit my shortcomings.
I build my credibility by being viewed as trustworthy and genuine. I base my expertise on the experience and training I have acquired.
I think along with this is showing genuine concern & care for the others involved in the situation. You may not know them very well, but when people know that you are interested in a successful resolution for all involved, then it will help guarantee a more successful outcome.
Ryan
Absolutely. Authenticity is key as others will quickly see through us & be able to tell if we're just spouting the "party line."
Ryan
I research my ideas and believe firsthand in my experiences and what I am presenting to an audience. I do unto others as I want done unto me and I live with good character qualities, exemplify the good of human kind.
Susan Cuffari
I research the topic and make sure that I know what i am talking about. I only try to persuade when i truly believe.
Susan C
Exactly right. It's definitely true that credibility can take a long time to build, but only an instant to destroy.
Ryan
Building credibility is like building a relationship. It is not instantaneous. It takes time and will evolve with effort. I believe that the most important element to building my credibility with others is honesty. If someone senses or discovers you have n=been misleading or untruthful, all crdibility is blown.
Great observations, especially your point about having the reputation of someone they can trust. I think too often we view persuasion as something negative, but it really is a necessary part of our jobs as leaders.
Leadership researcher & author Jay Conger wrote a great article on this topic for Harvard Business Review called "The Necessary Art of Persuasion." If you have access to archived copies of HBR it might be worth a read. It is in the May-June 1998 edition.
Ryan
This is a very difficult one for me. I do not fancy myself as a "skilled persuader". What sticks out in my mind the most right now is "credibility = trust + expertise". You have got to do your homework and know what you are talking about and you have got to have the reputation of someone they can trust. You also have to know who you are trying to convince and tailor your arguement to them.
Yes, it's amazing how our body language & eye contact can send a message of openness & trust or seem like we're trying to hide something.
Establish friendly eye contact. Listen carefully. Exhibit openness with your body language. Always tell the truth.
I definitely agree with this idea. Often it is through the respect of those "significant others' that we ourselves can gain credibility.
What would you do if you were in a situation by yourself? How would you go about establishing your credibility?
Ryan
I attended a training session before where it was suggested that your credibilty is increased by the way the people around you interact with you. If people in authority show you respect, others will respect you more readily.
I think these are some excellent strategies. It has been my observation that few of us listen appropriately. When we don't fully listen we miss the meaning of the other individual & then act or respond based on assumptions. This does not give us credibility but rather makes us look like we are only pushing our agenda.
In connection with your comment we become the "fool" or appear stupid. By the way, this is one of my mother's favorite quotes.
Ryan
I listen. I listen very closely, and watch body movements and expressions. When I speak, I use simple straight forward language, and I make it brief.
I subscribe to the old adage, "It's better to keep your mouth shut, and let people think you are stupid, then open it and remove all doubt."
It is amazing how powerful a well placed and thought out question can be. I appreciate your comments about listening a lot as I have found that by careful listening I can ask much more effective questions. In this way, the other party knows I'm hearing them & not just trying to further my agenda. Great approach.
Ryan
I listen a lot, I find that it makes people wonder what I am thinking. I sometimes answer a question, then pose one in return to keep the other party talking.
This allows me to learn more about what triggers this persons emotion, and it builds trust, since I don't dispute their feelings.
