You don’t have to be universally liked to have a decent reputation. If your reputation really is damaged, figure out which sphere the damage has occurred in. For instance, you might have a bad reputation at work or school, but your reputation among your friends might be fine.
For instance, maybe you gossip about other people to feel included in your social circle. To change this behavior, you could look for a better way to feel included, such as helping your friends more often. Think about changing the kinds of people you surround yourself with as they may be contributing to your actions and negative reputation too.
Don’t just ignore the problem and hope it blows over. If you don’t acknowledge what people are saying, the damage could be even greater in the long term.
This strategy can be especially helpful if you are running an online business. It’s always a good idea to build a strong, positive online presence. Update your social media accounts regularly and consider starting your own website or blog. If you have no web presence of your own, it’s hard to defend yourself against bad reviews and other negative feedback online. Take the opportunities you have to explain your side and/or rectify customer dissatisfaction publicly online.
Go to the person and ask if you can speak to them privately. Share the details of your situation and ask them how you might bounce back from it.
Be genuine when you help others. If it’s obvious that you’re just trying to improve your reputation, it won’t work.
For instance, if you have a rep for lying or stealing, you want to show a sense of integrity whenever you can. If you find a wallet on the ground, don’t keep it. Turn it in to someone who can see that it gets back to its rightful owner like a receptionist or police officer.
Finding a new group of friends also gives you the chance to start over with people who aren’t biased against you.
Staying off social media may also help your reputation if you tend to post inappropriate things or form destructive relationships online. A break from social media may give you time to evaluate how you want to behave differently moving forward.
If someone is saying things about you that obviously aren’t true, let your actions speak for you. Don’t get defensive or argue. Most people will be able to see that the rumors are false. When necessary, get support of people who can confirm that the rumors aren’t true. [15] X Expert Source Hyungbum Kang, MA, MSW, LCSW, MACLicensed Clinical Social Worker Expert Interview. 26 July 2021. If false rumors are really severe, they can be categorized as slander or defamation. If you can prove that there is malicious intent, you can file a lawsuit. [16] X Expert Source Hyungbum Kang, MA, MSW, LCSW, MACLicensed Clinical Social Worker Expert Interview. 26 July 2021. If one person tries to assassinate your character, it indicates a problem with them. If many people are saying bad things about you, though, the problem may be on your end.
For instance, if you have a reputation for being a lazy student, you could change people’s perception of you by participating in class discussions every day.
Stay true to yourself. It’s normal and healthy to change as a person over time, but don’t try to become someone you aren’t. See a professional for help if you have consistent low self-esteem for a prolonged period of time.
