Character Is Like A Tree

Character is like a tree and reputation like shadow

The shadow is what we think of it

The tree is the real thing

Abraham Lincoln

Character and reputation

I led a team for several years and I had a reputation for making things happen, being trustworthy and being an expert in what I did.   After a break, I joined another organisation.  While my CV told a good story, no one knew me at the new place.  I found myself in a situation where my reputation was not known. A situation which found me having to work hard to rebuild my reputation with new people.   In those early days, it bothered me.  My standing with others was on shakier ground than before.  For a while and to some extent my lack of reputation shook my confidence.   

It was in those early days that I found comfort in the fact that I knew my character was like a tree and was the real thing.  I understood that reputation is simply a concept in my own and others’ minds, while character is tangible and cannot be taken away. 

When your own opinion counts

In this situation, I experienced what it was like when others were unsure of what I would do and how I would perform.  This resulted in others checking in with me, or questioning me to make sure I lived up to my promise.   This put me slightly under scrutiny.  Of course, all the self-awareness work I had undertaken in the past kicked in.  I realised I was in danger of fulfilling a self-prophesy around my lack of reputation.  I knew I had to find my inner core.  This is when I reminded myself that the only opinion I had to consider was my own.  I knew my own opinion of myself, in a non-egotistical way, was sound.  Over the years I have worked hard to build character.  I knew I wasn’t perfect, but I also knew I always set out to do the best I could. 

This quote is really about this:  Reputation is simply a perception based on what you and others see in you over some time.  Character is the real deal, it is the congruent real you, that you know exists, no matter what anyone else thinks.