Credibility is something you earn over time in any given industry. Wouldn’t it be helpful to discover the key elements to gaining credibility, then systematize it so that you or your company can be viewed as industry experts?
This is what Credibility Expert Mitchell Levy helps business owners and companies do. He shared many of his secrets in a recent interview with Business Success Consulting Group CEO Adi Klevit. We have summarized several of the salient points in this article.
What is a Credibility Expert?
A credibility expert is someone who works with organizations and individuals to help them shift their perspective and view the world through the lens of credibility. Mitchell tells his clients that credibility is a journey, as cultural norms, information, and expectations about expertise change.
At the base level, credibility is simply the quality in which one is known, trusted, and liked (or loved). A credibility expert helps individuals and business owners discover their inherent authenticity, integrity, and respect to show their existing credibility and develop further credibility in their industry.
Three Elements That Build Credibility
There are three elements that build credibility. These are:
1. Being Trusted
This consists of showing authenticity and vulnerability. External integrity, or what you or your company display on the outside, is another vital part of being trusted. Demonstrating authenticity, vulnerability, and external integrity all show that you are worthy of trust and permit people to trust you or your business.
2. Being Known
There are many ways to be known. However, to be known as credible is another matter. This consists of:
- Showing up as a “servant leader,” meaning that you consistently serve others.
- Sharing your commitment to do what is right in the face of any odds.
- Indicating your intent to improve and continue to choose the right action.
- And showing your internal integrity, or who you really are on the inside.
These four factors will get you known for the right reasons and showcase your credibility as a leader.
3. Being Likable
Likability is a difficult area to address because the idea of “being likable” is often associated with always doing what others want. In his discussion with Adi, Mitchell shared two likability factors that anyone can implement immediately while still keeping their assertive voice.
- Share your stage and give credit where credit is due.
- Show respect to others with your whole heart.
Standing in your principles and providing genuine respect and credit will make you both liked and respected in turn.
How to Systematize Credibility
At Business Success Consulting Group, we work with systems. This is why we discussed how one could systematize credibility and create an elevator pitch that immediately showcases the credibility one possesses.
Here is a system you can use to increase credibility immediately:
1. Examine your elements of credibility.
Are you known, liked, and trusted in your industry? If not, break down the elements by listing how you can be more authentic, vulnerable, etc.
If this seems like a monumental task right from the get-go, you can always hire a credibility expert like Mitchell to help.
2. Determine how you and your company serve others.
Establishing yourself and your business as servant leaders showcases your passion and accentuates your external and internal integrity.
List the areas of service you and your business provide.
3. Write down a brief (ten-word) description of the exact area in which you work.
Many entrepreneurs don’t like to map out their exact scope or area of work. They believe it’s limiting. However, establishing the bounds of your expertise shows that you are an expert in a specific area - not a dabbler in many things. This increases your credibility and showcases your passions.
4. Establish answers to the following questions
- Which audience are you hoping to serve - and who would not benefit from your service right now?
- Which audience would make the perfect referral partner?
- What pain point do you want to address?
- What pleasure point do you deliver?
- What aspiration are you currently working toward?
- How do you live your values?
- How do you strive to make a difference?
5. Determine where to use the answers established above.
You have gathered a lot of information in the above four steps. Now it’s time to use that information to improve your elevator pitch, call to action, marketing focus, speech writing, and more.
As you utilize the information you have gathered above, be sure to create systems for reviewing and updating your credibility factor at least once each year.
At Business Success Consulting Group, we help businesses and individuals establish processes and procedures to support growth. If that’s something you need assistance with, get in touch for a no-cost initial evaluation.
