Building Credibility - The Essence

Credibility is a concept that is difficult to establish concrete guidelines as to how to attain it. The most apparent answer to "how do I establish credibility" is to get a degree. However, in a time period where 56 percent of Americans do not believe that a four-year degree is worth the cost, much less a doctorate, how do you establish credibility? This is the question I have been contemplating since I started my bachelor's degree in Marketing and that is the exact question that this blog aims to explore.

Aristotle outlines 3 critical elements of credibility: character, competency, and goodwill. However, when you begin to research what exactly constitutes credibility, the information becomes muddied. Let's break down the individual sections. Character is developed by aligning your words with your actions. Competency builds character and confidence as it implies that you are pondering higher-level questions and handling each aspect of your life with great consideration and intention. Finally, goodwill is aimed at setting a goal that benefits others and provides you with a purpose that is greater than yourself. This is the path towards fulfillment: a purpose and responsibility greater than yourself.

The essence of credibility is reliant on consistency. Consistency between your actions and words will ultimately make or break your character as it is the foundation for trust, and trust is one of the foundations for credibility. Furthermore, credibility is applicable to every audience and aspect of your life. A prime example is writing this blog post. I had told myself and my family that today, April 4, 2023, I would have my first blog post written for my blog on credibility. At 11:00 PM, I was ready for bed but could not shake the fact that I had not sat down to write my blog. In order to establish personal credibility, trust, and ultimately confidence, I needed to ensure that my actions match my words. The point of this story is that credibility is first established within. You are the first audience that you must establish credibility with. Once you have started to develop personal credibility, you will have the framework for establishing professional credibility.

This is just a brief example of some of the concepts and stories that I will be sharing in this blog and invite you along on the journey to establish professional credibility in a society where the bounds to which credibility is established are, at best, blurred and difficult to decipher. 

Stay credible my friends.

Collens W.