Building Credibility

As a manager one of the primary tasks is to create and maintain credibility.  Credibility is defined as the following -

1 : the quality or power of inspiring belief

2 : capacity for belief

(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credibility)

So what does credibility mean in the workplace?  What does it mean for a manager?  Here are three visible ways that a lot of people use to asses credibility.

1. How you look.  First impressions last and the way you look is what people notice first.  Dress for the occasion and always be one step above of those you employ or teach.
2. What you say.  When you are a manager people take notice of what comes out of your mouth and they generally tend not to forget as readily either. 
3. What you do.  Actions speak louder than words.  Creating small wins and stringing them together into big wins gives you credibility.  Start small and work your way up. 

In order to have credibility it is important to ensure that how you look and what you say match with what you do and ultimately express who you are.

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/annagaycoan/3573201505/)