Hi this is Dr. Maria,
I’m delighted to welcome you to this special reflection based on my most recent talk on my Energy of Money podcast. In this podcast, we explore not just your relationship with money, but your relationship with all six forms of energy: money, time, physical vitality, creativity, enjoyment, and relationship. They are deeply interconnected, and when you strengthen one, the others benefit as well.
Today, let’s look at a vital element, related to the energy of relationship, that determines the success of your business, your influence, and your fulfillment: it’s your credibility quotient.
What Is a Credibility Quotient?
The word “quotient” comes from mathematics. It’s the result you get when you divide one number by another. But in everyday life, a quotient is a measure of how much of something you’re experiencing, like a happiness quotient.
So what’s your credibility quotient? It’s the degree to which you’re seen and experience yourself as trustworthy, competent, and grounded in integrity and respect.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or someone who is both, your credibility quotient determines how others relate to you and your work.
Entrepreneurs Eat What They Catch
If you’re an entrepreneur, building credibility is not optional: it’s essential. As the saying goes, when you’re an entrepreneur, if you want to eat a fish tonight, you have to catch it today. No one else is going to do it for you.
In a corporation, your results are often tied to a team effort. If you don’t “catch a fish” each day, all you and your team usually need to focus on is your score at the end of a quarter. But for entrepreneurs, the relationship you build with your clients, your credibility, is your livelihood. That credibility often begins long before the first conversation.
In the digital age, your credibility often walks into the room before you do. What others see, hear, read, or sense about you can shape their judgment, often long before you speak a word.
The Three Foundations of Credibility
Your credibility grows in proportion to how consistently you demonstrate the following:
- Competence: You know what you’re doing and can be relied on to deliver on your promise.
- Integrity: You keep your promises, speak truthfully, and walk your talk.
- Respect: You honor the people you work with and the people you serve.
Trust and the Credibility Quotient
Before we go any further, let’s look at a definition of Trust that aligns with your Credibility Quotient:
Trust is the foundation of your Credibility Quotient. It’s the confidence others have that you will do what you say, tell the truth even when it’s difficult, and treat them with respect.
Every time you act with clarity, integrity, and consistency, you deposit into the “trust account” that strengthens your credibility. In other words, your action speaks louder than your words. Here are some quotes that reflect this age-old saying:
“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pay no attention to what people say, but rather to what they do.” René Descartes
“Talk doesn’t cook rice.” Chinese Proverb
So, every action you promise to take, whether large or small, either builds trust or erodes it.
Your credibility is the result of earned trust over time. You might say: “Credibility is the composite score, and trust is the daily deposit that raises it.”
There’s a feedback loop at play. When people trust your word, your presence, and your intentions, they’re more likely to seek your guidance, refer others, and follow your lead. Each of those responses further reinforces your credibility.
Self-trust as a root. Another dimension: trusting yourself to follow through, to speak authentically, and to acknowledge when something’s outside your scope: this raises your credibility internally and externally.
Be More Interested Than Interesting!
Here’s what I’ve both discovered as well as taught others who want to add to their credibility quotient:
- At conferences or networking events, resist the temptation to lead with a pitch. Instead, focus on being genuinely curious.
- When you meet someone, be more interested in them than trying to be interesting yourself.
- Ask them about their journey. Listen actively. Look for what inspires you in their story, especially if their work is different from yours.
When it’s your turn to speak, shift the focus to them again. When people ask what I do as a coach, I often say something like the following:
“Sometimes people feel stuck, like they’re on the edge of something important but can’t quite reach it. Maybe there’s a dream they set aside that still calls to them. Or they’re ready to step into the next level of their life or leadership—and want someone who’s professionally trained and fully in their corner. That’s when working with a personal or leadership coach can make all the difference. If that sounds like where you are, let’s have a conversation and see if this could be the right next step for your success.”
That message isn’t all about me. It’s about the person in front of me. And that focus, too, builds credibility.
Getting Support Boosts Your Credibility
Be truthful. Ask yourself: How certain am I that I can do what I say I’m going to do? If there’s even a slight doubt, it might be time to seek additional training or mentorship.
The people I have met who are well-respected in their field often seek out those who are excellent in their field to mentor them.
Mentorship is one of the best ways to become successful in your field. And, it boosts your credibility quotient. When someone respected in your field stands beside you, it not only enhances your skills but also speaks volumes about your character.
Visibility with Integrity
Your credibility quotient increases whenever people can see and interact with you as a valued member of your community. For example, check out your local Chamber of Commerce. Or, volunteer for a nonprofit board. Become involved in your community, not to promote yourself, but to contribute. People begin to see a more well-rounded version of you as someone who supports communities to thrive.
And yes, collect testimonials: short, authentic, heartfelt. Showcase real stories that briefly explain what life was like before, during, and after working with you.
Remember: two or three compelling testimonials on your website or LinkedIn can do more to establish your credibility than a full page of self-promotion.
And regarding LinkedIn: resist the temptation to sell yourself, your business, or your product. Years ago, when LinkedIn was first created in 2003, it was designed primarily as a professional networking site: a place to list your resume, connect with colleagues, and exchange ideas with other professionals. The emphasis was upon professional credibility. The platform is still about professional connection, but the balance has moved from “let’s share ideas and expertise,” toward “let me showcase and market myself or my business.” You can almost sense the credibility quotient lowering when that happens.
Your Credibility Quotient is a Living Score
It’s not fixed. You can raise it.
By being more interested than interesting, showing up with competence, acting with integrity, and treating others with respect, you become someone people can count on. And in business, or life, that is the actual currency, isn’t it?.
Run with this. Use it. And let me know what you discover when you put these principles into practice.
Warmly,
Dr. Maria
If you’re interested, you can go to marianemeth.com to see articles from the past, join a webinar dedicated to your success, or leave a message with a question. And, check out LinkedIn.com with messages from me to brighten your day
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