On Reputation

On Reputation

Your reputation is the most important asset you will ever have in your life. It will outlive jobs, pets, lawsuits, money made, money lost, relationships, all until your death. And even after death, your reputation will be what people remember you by. Reputation should be protected as if your life depends on it (because it does). Which begs the question - How do you build a reputation? 

The simple way to build a reputation is by making the right decisions until you die. This is especially important in industries where you play long-term games with long-term players, like real estate.

Eventually, your reputation will create value. Your presence alone brings legitimacy to a deal. It de-risks transactions. And if you’re good, you will learn to build a flywheel that positively reinforces value to come your way - through incentives and execution. This is why over the long haul, being marginally better than others creates massive gaps in the future. So what’s the right thing?

In REPE, the right thing often looks like:

• Aligning incentives

• Being honest with investors

• Overcommunicating with counterparties

• Helping others without any expectations

• Always paying the broker (even if the seller doesn’t)

• Making reasonable, supported assumptions - avoiding exuberance

The right things are truths. Truths are what you know deep down inside of you. It is not something you hide from the world. Truth is being honest with yourself and others about your intentions and actions. Harmonizing what you say you are going to do and what you actually do. Truth isn’t calculated. Instead, it’s pure.

You can recognize truth quite easily. It is the opposite of guilt and greed. Instead, it's unity. Your actions are motivated by helping and improving. When you live this way, you’ll notice your life is fuller. You do not need distractions (social media) and euphoria (hard drugs). These are things that are generally for confused or broken people. They do not know their full truths.

You find truth by acting. By helping others. By going out of your way to make life easier for those around you. You pursue your natural interests despite what others may think. You seek out allies who support you and who you support. You follow through with your word and tell the truth. You do this consistently. All the while loving yourself. This part is a requirement as you will build self-esteem.

Self-esteem is your internal reputation of yourself. It grows as you continue to follow through with your word. At some point, the world will recognize your qualities. They identify you with Truth. Your presence alone makes interactions and deals less risky. Your brand becomes something people can lean on - in both your personal and professional life.

Go find your truth. Define who you are and what you stand for. When something feels right, take note. Then dive into it. The roads will open up for you and lead to more right-ness. And remember: It takes a lifetime to build a strong reputation and one decision to burn it down.