After another year trying to impress, and putting your best foot
forward with clients and colleagues, Christmas can be a welcome
opportunity to really let your hair down and have some fun.
But
whilst Christmas is traditionally the season of goodwill, it's also
the season of the spectacular social and professional blunder, when
too much of a good time - alcohol, relaxation and momentary
flippancy - can have disastrous, and long-lasting, consequences
both personally and professionally. The festive season is a
reputation-minefield that can leave you nursing more than a sore
head come the New Year.
Most people can relate to their own or another person's
behaviour at an end-of-year function that leaves them wincing in
embarrassment. What you consider to be 'harmless fun' can literally
slam doors in your face and derail opportunities if you get offside
with family, colleagues or clients, or inadvertently leave a bad
impression where you didn't intend to.
A reputation can take years to build but only seconds to damage
or destroy. Stories of embarrassing, career-limiting behaviour
abound and a significant number of them can find their way onto
YouTube without the so-called 'star of the show' even
knowing. Now is not the time to tell your key client you
think they need an attitude transplant or demonstrate your
pole-dancing abilities on top of the nearest table or
photocopier.
Taking a moment to think ahead before hitting 'party central',
could save both your reputation and any embarrassment that could
come back to haunt you when the party's over. So as you head off to
those end-of-functions this year remember:
- Have a plan before you head out. Decide in advance who you'll
spend time with and when you might leave, and get a trusted friend
on board to keep you on track as the party progresses.
- Go easy on the alcohol. It might dull your mind, but chances
are the person listening to your ramblings will remember your
comments with clarity and may even use them against you at some
future date.
- Avoid giving inappropriate, risky or tasteless gifts. Every
time the person who receives it looks at it, they'll think of you
and how inappropriate it was. You may even earn a reputation you
don't want and be the subject of sniggers and whispers long after
the wrapping paper's been tossed.
- What you might consider acceptable behaviour, may not wash with
work colleagues and clients. Trying to justify your behaviour
probably won't help, if others see it as offensive or
inappropriate. Rightly or wrongly, you'll simply be judged
accordingly.
- Avoid gossip, rumours or innuendo. They can have far-reaching,
damaging consequences for you and others and make people distrust
you in the future.
- Once raised, doubt is extremely difficult to remove. Avoid
doing or saying anything that will make others question your
judgment, ethics or motives.
Remember: the camera is always rolling, the microphone is always
on and there's no such thing as 'off the record'. People might
believe reputation is an old-fashioned concept, but as many find
out to their cost, people are always sitting in silent judgement -
especially at end-of-year parties.
Acknowledgement
Hannah is a reputation expert, professional
speaker, author and founder of online performance-based service
directory, TRUSTcite. She regularly comments on issues around
reputation, trust and integrity in mainstream media and on her blog
www.trustbite.co.nz.
Contact her by email on: info@hannahsamuel.com.
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