How leaders can reset their reputation at work
Summary:
Leaders can change their reputations, but it takes intentional effort
They should take ownership, set a goal, make their changes visible, get feedback, and be persistent
It’s not about changing who you are; it’s about reconsidering the things you do
“I came on a little strong when I first started. I was just trying to prove that I had the experience they needed. But now I can’t live that down. People think I don’t listen.”
As an executive coach, I frequently work with leaders who feel burdened by an outdated or damaged reputation. Whether it stems from a single misstep, a shift in company culture, or some other misalignment with evolving expectations, the perception of who you are as a leader can become a heavy weight.
But here’s the truth: reputations are not fixed. And the good news is that, with intentional effort, they can be reshaped.
Five steps to reset your reputation:
Take ownership. The first and most powerful step in resetting your reputation is taking ownership. That doesn't have to mean issuing a grand apology (although sometimes that's a great place to start.) It means having the courage to acknowledge your past, even if it’s uncomfortable. Avoiding the issue or pretending nothing happened only entrenches negative perceptions. Instead, I encourage leaders to express (privately or publicly depending on the situation) that they understand what went wrong and they have a genuine desire to grow. People don’t expect perfection, but they do appreciate accountability. Letting people know that you’re working on your own development gives them the opportunity to notice and acknowledge your progress.
Set a goal. Once you’ve taken ownership, focus on setting a goal. What do you want your new reputation to be? More collaborative? Strategic? Curious? Confident? You can’t shift perceptions if you don’t know the direction for which you’re aiming. Define the behaviors that align with your goal and start demonstrating them consistently. Reputation is the product of repeated actions over time - so consistency is critical.
Make your changes visible. Quietly doing good work isn’t enough to change long-held perceptions. Leaders need to be intentional about how they show up. That might mean speaking up more in meetings, pausing to let others share their view, engaging more openly with your team, or volunteering for initiatives that allow others to see your growth in action. Don’t wait for people to notice; give them something to notice.
Seek feedback. Create safe, structured opportunities to ask for it with people who will celebrate your strengths and be candid about your areas for improvement. Regular check-ins with a trusted peer, mentor, or coach can provide perspective on how you’re being perceived and where you still have blind spots. When others see you actively seeking input, it sends a powerful message: you’re open, evolving, and committed to bettering yourself.
Be patient and persevere. Reputational change takes time. People need to see the “new you” repeatedly before they trust the change is real. Stay the course even if progress feels slow. Transformation is often a quiet, compounding process. Over time, those consistent behaviors - combined with clear communication and active listening - will start to shift the narrative.
Resetting your reputation isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. The goal isn’t to reinvent who you are; it’s to reconsider how you act. It’s about becoming the most effective version of yourself and allowing others to witness that version, day after day.
Reputational setbacks are not the end of your story. They’re an invitation to lead with even more intention, integrity, and self-awareness. With the right mindset and tools, every leader has the power to reset and grow.
Written by Bethany Klynn, PhD
Bethany Klynn is a leadership and culture consultant and executive coach who works with great companies to grow their leaders and transform their cultures.