What do they say when you are not in the room?

Everyone is lovely to you when you are in front of them or in the same room with them. You, are equally lovely to them when you are around them.  But, we all know that there are certain people who, once they leave, people will start to talk. Perhaps it will be a subtle “what do you think of so and so?” checking to see what others think before offering their own ill opinion. Or perhaps the less subtle, “I can’t stand that guy!” prompting the other person to either agree or ask why allowing the first person to expound on all the wrongs “that guy” has committed.

If you’re lucky, you may get, “isn’t she great” or “I just love him”.  That is the goal or the objective.  No one wants to have people talking badly about them, especially in professional settings, it can be damaging to your reputation and to your business.  So, how do you make sure that when you leave a room, people only have good things to say about you?

Firstly, you never engage in the character assignation of another professional. If you find yourself in a situation where there are people talking badly about a professional you know even if you do not think highly of them, keep your mouth shut and walk away. DO NOT engage. Secondly, be a giver. Try to make connections for people whenever you can, do not worry about whether or not someone has ever made a connection for you or not.  Thirdly, speak and treat everyone kindly and with respect.  Do not be short and dismissive with anyone. You never know who someone knows or who someone is related to.  It is never a good idea to treat anyone with disrespect because you believe that they cannot help you or your business or they are quite simply irritating.  That type of thinking is not only stupid and shortsighted, but it is also self-defeating.

So, if you want people to speak well of you when you leave a room, then never speak badly about another professional, be a giver, and treat everyone with kindness and respect.  If you do these 3 things in a genuine way, people will have nothing but good things to say about you.