OFW guide: How to build credibility at work

One of the most powerful things you can use to your advantage at the work place is credibility. How credible do you think you are to your co-workers?

 

According to business site Inc. nobody likes a know-it-all. You cannot establish your credibility by being a smarty-pants who actually doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

It may be seem unbelievable but admitting your ignorance, especially with something you don't really know, is the basic rule to establishing credibility at work.

 

The Inc. report said if you know how to admit your shortcomings, it makes everything you say much more credible. Admitting ignorance is proof that you are telling the truth.

 

The information site “Reliable Plant” compiled five tips to build your credibility:

 

(1) Admit ignorance

 

Again, doing this doesn't make you look dumb. It just means that you don't know the answer to the question being asked.

 

If you opt to save face by trying to answer with the information that you have – little as you know – you might end up embarassing yourself and your company if it's a clientele meeting.

 

(2) Learn, don't judge

 

It's so easy to judge people since you don't have to go through the gruelling process of trying to understand what the real situation is.

 

However, if you take time to ask questions and get more information, you'll definitely be sure with your answers without having judged a person. This builds credibility.

 

(3) Listen to others

 

Credibility is all about building others' trust in you as a co-worker and leader.

 

If you were tasked to investigate an issue and you hastily hammer the conclusion, judging others in the process, without getting proper information from all involved parties, this leaves no room for other's opinions.

 

However, if you leave the door open by stating your conclusions tentatively then you have room to backtrack and adjust or even revert the mistakes in your decision.

 

(4) Admit and apologize for mistakes

 

There are times when even the greatest and most credible people make mistakes. 

 

This is normal and the best way to solve this is through being humble and admitting your shortcoming.

 

Doing this shows that you are a responsible individual and you are willing to own up to your mistakes, resulting in stronger ties with people.

 

(5) Let others promote you

 

To honor yourself successfully, you have to trust others to do it for you. If you try to promote yourself, it will simply come out as you being conceited.

 

Praising your co-workers on the other hand says a lot about your character. It will in fact be remebered by those you praise.

 

They will then promote you when they find the opportunity to return the favor. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News