Whether in your personal relationships or professional life, the way you present yourself can either earn you respect or undermine your credibility.
If you want people to take you seriously in life, your actions and behaviors speak louder than words. How you carry yourself in every situation plays a crucial role, beyond just what you say or how you look.
Unfortunately, some behaviors can silently chip away at how others perceive you, making it harder for them to take you seriously. You might not even realize it, but these habits can send the wrong message.
In this piece, I’m going to point out these seven behaviors you need to say goodbye to if you’re after respect and credibility.
By identifying and eliminating these habits, you’ll be better equipped to command the respect and attention you deserve. Let’s dive into these crucial points and set the stage for you to truly shine in every aspect of your life.
1) Constantly seeking validation
In the world of personal growth and success, there’s one behavior that stands out as a major roadblock – constantly seeking validation.
It’s a natural human tendency to seek approval. We want to be liked and accepted. But when this goes overboard, it can paint you as someone who lacks confidence and self-esteem.
Think about it. If you’re always looking for others to validate your every move, how can they take you seriously? It signals that you don’t trust your own judgment and are always in need of reassurance.
To be taken seriously, it’s key that you develop faith in your own abilities. Of course, constructive feedback is important to grow, but don’t let your sense of self-worth depend solely on it.
2) Procrastination
Here’s a behavior that I’ve personally struggled with – procrastination.
I used to be a chronic procrastinator, always putting things off until the last minute. It wasn’t that I was lazy or didn’t care, but I had this ingrained habit of postponing tasks. The result? I was always rushing to meet deadlines, leaving no room for revision or improvement.
One day, a colleague pulled me aside and gave me some hard truth: “Your work is good, but it could be great. If only you would stop procrastinating and give yourself the time you need.”
That hit me hard. I realized my procrastination wasn’t just affecting me; it was affecting how others viewed my work and, by extension, me.
So I made a conscious decision to combat this habit. I started planning my tasks, setting realistic deadlines, and sticking to them. It wasn’t easy to change a behavior so deeply ingrained, but I worked at it.
And guess what? People started noticing the difference. My work improved and so did my standing among my peers and superiors. They saw the effort I was making and started taking me more seriously.
Interestingly, research by Dan Ariely and Klaus Wertenbroch has demonstrated that self-imposed deadlines can significantly improve performance by mitigating procrastination, a habit that often undermines credibility and respect in professional settings
3) Being unresponsive
In the digital age, communication has become faster and easier than ever before. Yet, an alarming number of people have adopted a behavior that can undermine their credibility – being unresponsive.
Whether it’s replying to emails, text messages, or returning calls, responsiveness is key in maintaining professional and personal relationships.
A study by Toister Performance Solutions found that an average person takes about 6 hours to respond to an email. That’s a long time in a fast-paced world where information flows rapidly.
Unresponsiveness can send a negative message. It can make others feel unimportant and ignored, which is not conducive to being taken seriously.
Being responsive doesn’t mean you have to be available 24/7 or respond within seconds. It simply means acknowledging received messages and responding in a timely manner. This small change can greatly impact how others perceive you, enhancing your credibility and respect among your peers.
4) Negativity
Ever encountered someone who always sees the glass as half empty? It’s tough to take such people seriously, right? Constant negativity is a behavior that can quickly erode your credibility.
Being negative all the time can make you come across as someone who lacks optimism and resilience. It can create a perception that you’re unable to handle challenges or find solutions, and this is not a trait of someone who is taken seriously.
Instead, try to cultivate a positive outlook. This doesn’t mean you ignore problems or pretend everything is perfect. It means you acknowledge challenges but remain focused on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problems.
Seligman’s research into optimism versus negativity shows that a positive mindset not only improves personal well-being but also plays a significant role in professional success, influencing how others perceive your resilience and problem-solving abilities.
Adopting a positive mindset can change how people perceive you and increase your chances of being taken seriously. So say goodbye to constant negativity, and let positivity lead the way.
5) Lack of punctuality
I’ve always believed that time is one of our most valuable resources. That’s why I find it hard to forgive myself when I’m late. There was a time when I got caught up in a project and totally lost track of time. By the time I realized, I was late for an important meeting.
When I finally arrived, flushed and apologetic, I saw the disappointed faces of my team members. That moment was a wake-up call. My tardiness hadn’t just affected me; it had affected everyone in that room.
Lack of punctuality isn’t just about disrespecting your own time; it’s about disrespecting others’ time too. It sends a message that your commitments aren’t important to you, which can make it hard for people to take you seriously.
Making a conscious effort to be punctual – to meetings, deadlines, or any commitment – can significantly improve how you’re perceived. It shows respect, reliability, and professionalism – qualities of someone who is taken seriously.
6) Being unprepared
There’s an old saying that goes, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This couldn’t be truer when it comes to being taken seriously.
Walking into a meeting, presentation, or even a casual conversation without preparation can make you look ill-informed and careless. It’s a behavior that quickly undermines your credibility.
Being prepared, on the other hand, shows you’re invested and responsible. It helps you present your points with confidence and clarity, fostering respect and trust from others.
Whether it’s an important meeting or a casual chat, always take some time to prepare. Your diligence will not go unnoticed and will contribute significantly to your journey of being taken seriously.
7) Lack of respect for others
At the end of the day, the most important behavior to say goodbye to if you want to be taken seriously is a lack of respect for others.
Respect is a two-way street. If you want to be respected and taken seriously, you must first show respect to others – their time, their opinions, their boundaries, and their values.
Disrespecting others, either blatantly or subtly, can quickly tarnish your reputation and undermine your credibility. It’s a behavior that is noticed and remembered, often overshadowing your positive qualities.
