Many careers in the outdoors industry are built from reputation. If you’re thinking about working in the outdoors, you might want to consider how you will build a solid reputation, in whichever career you choose.  Here are some tips to help you shape your reputation:

1. Observe others

What do other people in your niche do?  How have others built a successful business?  When you start to look at others, you can learn things about how to be successful yourself.

2. People buy people

No matter how good your work is, if you’re always grumpy, or if you make things difficult, or if people don’t like you, you may be passed over for work that you’re more than capable of doing. By making other people feel comfortable and creating strong & respectful relationships, you can build a strong and happy basis for your business.  Even if you’re not in the business right now, you can build connections with people that will last a lifetime.  Every single person you meet, either in business or personal life, may some day come to be your customer or have influence over your business or employment.  Be genuine. Be the person who you would like to meet and work with.

3. Remember names

What is it like when someone remembers your name?  It shows they have paid attention to you enough to go out of their way to make space in their brain for you.  So, when you remembers others’ names, it makes a difference.

4. Do what you say

If you offer to email something to someone, do it.  If you say you’ll help out at a school fair, do it. People value consistency highly. You can find out more about influencing people’s decision-making from Robert Cialdini.

5. Own up to mistakes and put them right

What’s your response to someone pointing out a mistake? “Thank you for letting me know. I’m going to learn something today” or “It wasn’t me!”

We all know that making mistakes can be difficult, especially when someone else points it out. However, making mistakes is normal and it’s a good way to learn. Celebrating mistakes is part of what makes some of the most successful people successful.  As individuals, we can use mistakes to learn and get better. Dr Carol Dweck gives an interesting talk about this on Ted. British Cycling, headed up by Dave Brailsford, used the growth mindset to win the Tour de France.

Good luck building a positive reputation for career success.

If you have other ideas to help others build their reputation, leave a comment below.