10 Things Smart People Do to Enhance Their Reputation at Work

10 Things Smart People Do to Enhance Their Reputation at Work Few things feel better than working in an office where you feel appreciated, respected and well-liked. If youre feeling less than admired, consider the follow actions to boost your professional reputation with colleagues and managers, right from the books of highly successful people.1. Take ownership.Rather than wait to be voluntold, take ownership of a project or initiative and run with it. Naturally, its ideal if its work youre genuinely passionate about, but even if you arent, consider offering your leadership anyway. You might end up loving the assignment, and your boss will appreciate your ingenuity. Star employees possess a roll-up-the-sleeves mentality and a fearless enthusiasm to try new things and take risks.2. Be timely.Whether its a phone meeting or conference room gathering, arrive a few minutes early. Get water or coffee in advance and boot up the laptop. The few minutes these things take shouldnt be part of t he meeting its more than just your time that youre respecting.3. Keep promises.Few things will plummet your reputation more quickly than lack of follow-through. Show your commitment to the company by working hard, persevering through setbacks and finding alternative solutions to achieve the best results.4. Offer counterpoints.Thoughtfully point out considerations that further illuminate an issue. It shows you have thought it through and have potential solutions or an alternative point of view.5. Think forward.Theres magic in the words Its already done. Integrate yourself in the office and look for opportunities to anticipate what needs to be handled before it becomes a need.6. Be flexible.Business priorities can shift quickly and it reflects well if you can react and adapt in the moment. While other employees might grumble, use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership and resilience by jumping into action.7. Be passionate.Ive worked with all kinds of employees, and wha t I know for aya is the ones who approach their work with passion always stand out above the rest. Their commitment and positivity influence fellow employees and often helps the business achieve goals that seemed lofty, simply because their vision was so convicted.8. Keep calm.Weve all worked with people who seem to bring and create drama wherever they go. Its one of the most draining and demoralizing traits in the workplace. Great employees dont allow themselves to be drawn into this type of behavior, use their position to squelch it, or get angry. Learn how to maintain your composure and stay cool under pressure.9. Be innovative.Tackle problems head-on and find ways to create process efficiencies, save money or introduce a new concept.10. Get smart.Whether its a global issue, an industry trend, or the latest best seller, stay informed. Chances are, by keeping up on whats happening in the world, youll be able to offer intelligent insight on a variety of topics.More on building your professional reputation--Tiffany Couch is the CEO and founder of Acuity Forensics, a forensic accounting and fraud investigation firm that helps unravel complex financial crimes.