We all know that when you are in a leadership or management role you have to keep continually rising to the challenge.

Over the years I have come across and worked with people who ended up stuck or stagnating in their career because they started to get a reputation that they did not want.

When I am working with leaders and managers on a one to one basis we often spend time exploring what they want to have a reputation for.

Often the discussion starts with a lot of focus on the things that they don’t want to have a reputation for.

This in many ways is not that surprising as many people are motivated by moving away from something rather than moving towards something. 

So if you were asked this question how would you respond?

When I reflect on this question personally some of the things that would be on my list would include the following.

Helping others to achieve more success in their role or career and deliver the results that they know they are truly capable of achieving.

Doing what I promised to do rather than being someone who makes great promises and when it comes down to it is all talk and no action.

Taking responsibility for sorting things out when things have not gone as well as they could have.

Being accountable and accepting that when I commit to something I need to account for the results I achieve.

Being fair in the way in which I deal with others and particularly trying to be as consistent as possible.

Being willing to do what is necessary even when it might be unpopular.

Being grounded and touch with reality rather than stuck in some sort of idealist bubble. 

Being pragmatic and finding ways of overcoming obstacles that without doubt always come up when you are in a leadership and management role.