Lesson 29 of 32
Shape The Story People Tell About You
Whether you're intentional about it or not, people are forming a story about who you are. Don't leave that story to chance.
The Lesson
The prevailing belief is that good work speaks for itself. People focus on doing good work and hope others will notice and remember their contributions. This passive approach to reputation building often leads to being overlooked, undervalued, or misunderstood - not because the work isn't good, but because the story around the work is unclear.
Your reputation is simply what you're known for being able to solve or deliver. It's not about self-promotion or bragging - it's about ensuring that your actual capabilities and contributions are accurately understood. When opportunities arise, people think of candidates based on the stories they remember about them. If your story is vague or nonexistent, you won't be considered, regardless of your qualifications.
The most successful people don't just do excellent work - they make sure their excellence is visible and memorable. They understand that managing perception isn't shallow; it's strategic. They shape their reputation by consistently demonstrating expertise in specific areas and making their contributions impossible to ignore or forget.
The Question
What story are you hoping your work tells about you versus what story does your work actually tell - and how might the gap between those two be costing you opportunities?
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