What is the most important thing you can do to earn trust, establish a solid reputation and build excellent relationships in your work life? Above all - it is to keep your word. The power of your word is the foundation of your personal brand, how you’re known. Promises set expectations. Unmet expectations disappoint. How well you keep your word defines the quality of experience people have with you.

During the course of looking for a new job, changing careers or re-entering the workplace, you’ll have many occasions when you make promises and when promises are made to you. While you can’t control how others behave, you can deliver excellently on the promises you make.

How you can be exceptional

Does it seem to you that the importance of keeping promises is taken too lightly these days—by our institutions, organizations and individuals? Undoubtedly you’re very tired of it too.

But as you set about to achieve your goals and make a successful work life transition, this is your moment to set a higher standard.

You’ll come across as exceptional if you consistently deliver well on promises—from answering casual requests to fulfilling on formal agreements. You’ll earn the reputation as reliable, honest and professional. People will want to hire you, do business with you and include you in their circles.

People learn to trust you, because you’ve demonstrated you’re trustworthy.

It’s the little things that build trust.

I’m sure you’ve all had a similar experience. I know someone in a business group I attend who makes lots of promises—constantly. The first time I actually looked forward to receiving the link she mentioned. The second time it was going to be a contact name—would have been nice. The third time, it was just another thing that never arrived.

You get the idea. Will I ever call on her to participate in a business arrangement? Unfortunately not. I have no confidence or expectation of delivery.

Have you delivered on the promises you’ve made?

• Did you promise someone a great information resource, interesting website you stumbled upon, the name of a person or company they should consider approaching?
• Did you recently say to someone, “I’ll call you…?” Do you owe anyone a phone call, email or in-person visit? Are they expecting to hear from you?
• Do you show up on time and prepared for all appointments as agreed?
• Do you immediately follow-up as you’ve promised? Lack of follow-up is a major reason for loss of sales, employment and business opportunities.

Tip: Make promises willingly, ones you can keep. As Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) wisely said, “We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot.”

A promise made is a debt unpaid. -Robert Service

Today’s question

We all have people we love to do business with. For your favorites, what makes them so special that you seek them out again and again?