IT ISN’T ENOUGH TO BE GOOD AT YOUR JOB. YOU NEED TO TELEGRAPH ATTRIBUTES THAT BUILD CREDIBILITY AND TRUST.

Impressions are often formed by things that aren’t actually tied to the quality of our work. Which is why it’s important to pay attention to the signals we project—in addition to our actual work product.

Here are some of the most common work behaviors that build credibility:

Being punctual. Showing up and ending meetings on time conveys that you are in charge of your time and know how to manage it. It also shows respect for others’ schedules—and telegraphs your respect for company resources. Keep in mind that in a six-person meeting, if a meeting is delayed because you are 10 minutes late, you’ll have wasted both your colleagues’ time and an hour of company time.
Answering emails promptly. Cultivate a reputation for responding in a timely fashion to people who rely on your replies. Delegate and delete what you can and if you can’t respond quickly, let the sender know when to expect resolution—and deliver on that promise.
Cultivating a clear and confident communication style. Use clear language that conveys both warmth and confidence. Remember that actions speak louder than words, so we are always communicating—even when silent. Make sure your written communication is free of errors. And cultivate good listening skills.
Being accountable. Own your mistakes and make them right. Do what you say you will—without being reminded. Want to add some wow factor? Anticipate what your team and customers need and show up with that before they ask.
Being respectful. Disagree without being disagreeable. Treat others with courtesy, regardless of position. And avoid crude or negative language.
Taking initiative. Anticipate challenges and bring solutions before problems happen. Taking initiative without needing constant direction is a sign of mature leadership.
Cultivating good organizational habits. Keeping workspaces, schedules, and tasks well-managed will make you and your team more effective. Relying on one’s memory can be dangerous, so most pros use to do lists (or multiple ones) to track their responsibilities.
Dressing for the job you want. Apparel is a type of communication—it conveys insights into how we see ourselves. Since dress codes vary by industry and organization, pay attention to the dress of colleagues in the positions that you aspire to.
Showing up focused and prepared. Come to meetings ready to contribute—and make sure your comments stay on topic and aren’t dominating the meeting. Read material in advance. If you’re calling the meeting, create an agenda. Join the meeting with a presence that says “I’m focused on the work before us”—rather than showing up flustered and distracted.
Meeting your deadlines without reminders. Know the status of your commitments and meet them. Your team relies on smooth and timely handoffs.
Keeping confidences. Stay clear of office gossip, and you’ll develop a reputation for trustworthiness—the bedrock of leadership.
Meeting with your team regularly to be sure you’re helping them succeed. Be vigilant about asking what your team needs, then resourcing them and removing obstacles. Be fully present (put that phone down and turn off those email notifications!) and avoid a pattern of routinely cancelling one-on-ones or cutting them short.