In response, I got many references to a popular John Wooden quote challenging that claim:

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

I admit fully that John Wooden is a smarter guy than me, and this quote does raise an important distinction and connection. In essence, Wooden is saying that by consistently adhering to strong personal values (in other words, having a good character), a good professional reputation will follow. I don’t disagree with this equation. But when it comes to being a leader, which one is really more important?

What Does It Mean to Be a Leader?

Before we can start to answer that question, we need to understand what a leader really is.

Forbes defines leadership in the following way:

“Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal.”

In other words, leadership stems not from authority or power, but from having the ability to guide and rally others. A leader leads people, regardless of whether they are “direct reports.” True leadership, it seems, speaks more to the service of others instead of a reliance on formal structures and authorities.

If we agree that a leader influences others, regardless of their formal role, then surely a leader’s professional reputation is an incredibly important indicator of how they are doing. You might even say that one’s reputation is a social litmus test. 

• Does this leader communicate effectively? 
• Are they able to align people around a shared intent? 
• Are they clear on their expectations and reasoning? 
• Are they ready to face adversity or problems?

What Influences Influence the Most?

I am fortunate to have worked alongside some of the most amazing and influential leaders in the world, all of whom have had excellent professional reputations. Even when they had to make unpopular decisions, the respect people had for them never wavered. Because they were consistent and authentic, their followers trusted them no matter what. Leaders like that are an incredibly valuable resource, particularly in complex environments characterized by uncertainty and confusion. Even if all they do is make tough calls, they still manage to leave nothing but positivity in their wake.

It is important to know that it was other people who took the leader's message to different forums. These people are known as “evangelists.” They go out of their way to tout the leader's message and character, simply because they believe in it that much. The power of good character and social influence can spawn these ultra-loyal followers whose support can bolster the leader’s professional reputation. 

A Good Leader, Objectively Speaking

On the flip side, we have those who develop professional reputations that are not aligned with their intent or values.

Say an individual joined an organization with one approach in mind, only to find that the organization’s culture or goals are completely at odds with that mindset. Because of this disconnect, the individual may develop a poor reputation that is not a true depiction of their character. Viewing the situation subjectively, without fully understanding the context, they may very well look like a “bad” leader.

If we look at the situation objectively, we see that both sides–the leader and the organization–played a part in lowering this person’s social influence and professional reputation. However, the leader must be the one to decide where to go from here. If they are truly of good character, they should be able to apply what they learned from this misstep and identify a better position for themselves in the future. If they do that successfully, they will repair their professional reputation in no time.

The Matter of Legacy

Like many of us, one of my personal life goals is to leave a positive legacy as a ""good person."" That legacy will be measured not in dollars and cents, but in the number of people that surround my deathbed, watching over me with love and support. It is in the positive message I hope to leave behind.

A person’s legacy is a form of reputation. It is what remains alive when we have left. So, while a good character may be the font from which a good reputation springs, reputation is what lingers long after we are gone.

In Conclusion

It is my firm belief that the best leaders commit themselves to the pursuit of truth in every respect. That includes the truth about themselves, their performance, their teams, and their impacts.

As leaders, we cannot be so quick to discount the importance of one’s professional reputation. It tells you how your message impacts others and where you need to improve as a leader.