Recovering Lost Credibility
February 2005
Lost Credibility - What Do You Do Now?
It happens to all of us somewhere along the line and it really feels awful. You've seen leaders in the public arena deny, deflect and blame - only to dig themselves in deeper.
But what is the right course of action when people have lost their respect for you?
- Accept the situation for what it is. Look at what really happened and what people are really saying and feeling about you. Once you accept you're in an awful situation you can begin to move through it.
- Find your mistake or responsibility or blind spot without worrying about the mistakes of others or how someone else is causing trouble. Even if it's true, your denials and deflections only feed their fire and cause further damage to your credibility.
- Identify your highest intention: how do you want to come out of this situation? If you are thinking of your own survival at someone else's expense, think again. Your highest intention is only about optimizing everyone's contribution or experience of excellence.
- Face your obstacles with the courage to tell the truth about your part, what you've learned, and what your intentions are going forward. Apologize if you feel it's appropriate.
- Begin rebuilding credibility with the people you most care about working with. There are always two components to credibility: performance and integrity. Tell people what you will do and go out and do it.
- Proceed with humility and a willingness to let others coach you to improve in any areas you've made mistakes or had blind spots.
If we forget that trusting relationships are the cornerstone to our success, we can easily cycle through the same problems over and over. Every awful moment has a teaching – when you learn the lesson, you move ahead and no longer have to cover that same ground again. Be a real leader the next time you find yourself in a "moment of truth"... and don't be reluctant to call us for coaching at 503-632-8572. You are not alone!
“If you respond with your best, your adversary will become your friend.”