“Be more concerned with
your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really
are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
John
Wooden
I’ve
Been Thinking . . . about image. What is
the difference between who people think you are and who you really are? What is your reputation? Is it an accurate reflection of the real you?
In
2009 Tiger Wood's career, as well as personal and public image was
decimated. Running his SUV into a fire
hydrant Thanksgiving weekend was only the beginning of the crashes he would
experience. His infidelities became
public and a critical eye watched his every move. A massive scandal ended his marriage and
stripped Tiger of the respect he had earned from his fans.
Twenty
nine months after being dethroned as the #1 player in the world, Tiger Woods
returned to the helm. But, the baggage
he carried in the public's eye hasn't returned him to a #1 rating in the
public's heart.
A
recent Forbes poll rated him third on the list of the nation's most disliked
athletes, right behind Lance Armstrong and Manti Te'o.
Consumer
Polling from the Dallas-based Marketing Arm research firm suggests Woods still
has an issue with his public image. In
polling taken March 21, 2013 the firm found consumers see his truthfulness
ranked No. 2735 among about 3000 celebs the firm follows -- about the same
trust the public has in Mike Tyson, Kim Kardashian and Ozzy Osborne.b
Adding
fuel to fire, Tiger now appears in a NIKE ad that indicates "winning takes
care of everything."
Maybe
not.
Tiger
has a ways to go to earn back the trust and respect of grandmas, fans and the
non-golfing general public.
Nathaniel
Hawthorne declared, “No man can for any considerable time, wear one face to
himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to
which is the true one.”
Countless
hours, incredible energy, and focused attention are given to developing our
public image or reputation. Certainly a
good reputation is a worthy pursuit. It
is important, however to understand that your character will ultimately
determine the reputation you attain.
Character
tells people how you are put together.
It is a simultaneous display of beliefs and actions. Character allows you to be authentic, while developing
the reputation you attain. Above all,
character allows you to be you. There is
no need for facades, putting on an act, or fearing your true self will be found
out. People with character can be
transparent. When character is a
reflection of your inner values, the outcome will be a respectable reputation.
Character
is all about the little things in our lives.
It is developed in the moments when we don’t have time to think, but act
according to our beliefs. It is revealed
in how we respond to people no matter what their status.
Character
is who you are when no one is looking. A
solid character remains consistent no matter where you are, who you are with,
and in whatever situations you encounter.
Who surfaces in these scenarios is the genuine, actual you.
I’m
amazed at how many people seemingly don’t understand that their character is on
display in everything they do. If they
did, I’m convinced they would build people up rather than tear them down. They wouldn’t morally fluctuate based on
circumstances or who they are with.
There would be far less effort expended to impress others. Fulfilling promises would be the highest
priority.
Character
remains firmly grounded in the best of times and the worst. Character driven people take full
responsibility for their lives. They are
willing to say “I’m sorry” and readily admit when they are wrong. Ego is set aside. A serving attitude is firmly in place.
Our
public image is what people think we are.
Character is what we really are.
Pay attention to the authentic you.
“Character is the sum
total of all our everyday choices.”
Margaret Jensen
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