What can I do as a manager if I’m losing credibility?

Credibility come in many forms for managers: Being considered credible means you're believed; plausible, worthy of confidence and reliable – all very valuable things for a manager to be.

Credibility is the foundation of leadership. If people don't believe in the messenger, they won't believe the message. In business, if you lack credibility, you may never be able to get a team to follow you and will probably never advance to a position of authority. You might have something incredibly important to say, but let's face it: If people don't believe what you say, nothing else really matters.

Your credibility is based on your words and actions. If these two areas of communication are incongruent, your credibility will suffer. So if you are a team member and tell your teammates you will help out but never do, your credibility will diminish as a result.

Whether you're sharing information or job recognition, if you are not credible, it will be of little consequence. If you expect others to believe what you say, you first have to believe it yourself.

Damaging your credibility
Every leader and potential leader needs to avoid specific mistakes to maintain credibility:

• Failing to keep up – No matter what field you're in, there are almost always changes. If you don't stay abreast of the advances, others will see you as a weak leader. People want to follow leaders who are current, knowledgeable and confident. If you don't know your field, your credibility suffers, because you're no longer believable.

• Withholding information – Good leaders and team members do not keep information from others. When you withhold information, it is perceived as being controlling at best, conceited at worst.

• Not telling the truth – Lying to your staff and customers or fellow employees is always a terrible idea. Be honest with others, and you will better serve yourself and your organization in the long run.

• Trying to be everyone's mate – Typically, a person who is trying to be liked rather than respected is perceived as insincere, phony and non credible. These people run into meetings all smiles and try to shake hands with everyone, but they are not the least bit interested in anyone and are only interested in their own agendas.

• Not accepting responsibility : If you're not willing to accept personal responsibility for what you do, then you will lose credibility. Leaders, whether in the boardroom or on the front line, are at the centre of a vast web of relationships. They must reach out and attend to all their constituents if they wish to be credible.

No matter who you are or where you are within your organisation, you must build credibility and steer clear of all that will destroy it. Consider this your number one priority throughout your career, and promise yourself you will never get caught in a situation that forces you to compromise your credibility.