Reputation is most certainly an integral part of leadership. One’s reputation can either help or hinder their objective. Reading your post on Tyson’s reputation reminded me of my own reputation at my current place of employment, it instills fear in nonconformists. This can sometimes be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your outlook.
At work, I’m viewed as a safety conscious, strict (by the book), well-organized, and technically proficient leader. These traits may seem likeable and widely accepted by most; however, that’s far from the truth. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Because of the ingrained culture of “Where there’s chaos there’s cash,” people at my current place of employment are often reluctant to change and therefore try their best not to conform to any form of it (necessary/unnecessary). “Where there’s chaos there’s cash,” simply put, means if the task(s) being performed is unorganized, then there’s a potential to make more money.
My reputation have attracted people much like myself (safety conscious, organized, etc) to my team and deterred those that did not share the same values, morals, and work ethics. This works great for me at times because it lets me know that the individuals that chose to be a part of my team accept me for the person I am and what I stand for. This is evident in my daily dealings with them and the way they execute their assigned task(s). On the other hand, because of my reputation, I’m depicted as an outsider and often challenged. This also works well for me because it keeps away the individual(s) that’s unwilling to conform to my leadership style.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. -George