Seven Simple Ways To Build Credibility

Showing your audience respect has a lot of great payoffs. It makes your audience feel engaged and positive, it can enable a culture of buy-in, in which people feel committed not only to execute a plan or implement a new product but to make it succeed… and it can make you a more specific, persuasive presenter.

But perhaps the greatest payoff is long-term, compounding over time and not only making you a more persuasive speaker but someone who is perceived as a leader. That’s because when you demonstrate respect — when you listen carefully and know your audience — you build credibility.

The three building blocks of showing respect and building credibility are listening carefully, taking the time to know your audience, and identifying opportunities to either negotiate or build consensus.

But there are a few other strategies that are key to building credibility and demonstrating leadership, both externally and internally:

1. Manage and respect time. Prioritize and value it. Make sure your meeting culture is healthy. Respect “do not disturb” time. Show up ready to waste other people’s time. Put a valuation on everyone’s time.

2. Communicate clearly and follow through. Nothing conveys respect for your audience like saying directly what you mean and doing what you say you will.

3. Be dependable. Meet your deadlines and arrive on time. Let others know that they can rely on you.

4. Give constructive, thoughtful feedback. If you don’t agree with a proposal or you aren’t satisfied with someone’s work, take the time to tell them specifically what you think needs to change. A knee-jerk reaction of “I don’t like this” doesn’t help your report or colleague improve and can create a culture of distrust and fear, which stymies innovation. If people fear being insulted, they’ll be less likely to risk proposing something new or distinctive.

5. Be patient. Don’t expect things to change overnight. When we try to change our habits, cultivate a new reputation or affect organizational change, it takes time. Be patient with yourself and others.

6. Follow the Golden Rule. It’s pretty simple: treat others as you’d want to be treated.

7. Admit when you don’t know something. Not only will you learn, but you’ll signal that it is okay to ask questions. That helps create a culture of curiosity, honesty and innovation.

Building credibility is a powerful tool in both persuasion and leadership. When you show that you care for, think about and respect your audience, your persuasive ability skyrockets. And that means that your ideas are more likely to be implemented, your abilities will be admired, and you’ll be more likely to become a leader and an influencer.