Tips for Achieving and Maintaining Credibility

• Do what you say you will do.
• Follow-up on matters.
• If you cannot fulfill a commitment, immediately notify the other person and explain why.
• Don't parse words.
• Show that you care.
• Avoid insincerity.
• Avoid overstatements.
• Check the facts.
• Be methodical and objective.
• Don't blame others for your mistakes.
• Consider the appearance of your conduct.
• Don't underestimate the cost of weasel-like behavior.
• Consider The Golden Rule.
• Don't claim that others have done worse things.
• Avoid convoluted explanations.
• Be honest with others and with yourself.
• Be able to give a candid description of your motives in one sentence. If that makes you uncomfortable, consider why.
• Don't think you can talk your way out of a credibility gap.