10 things smart people do to enhance their reputation at work

10 things smart people do to enhance their reputation at work 10 things smart people do to enhance their reputation at work Few things feel better than working in an office where you feel appreciated, respected and well-liked.If you’re feeling less than admired, consider the following actions to boost your professional reputation with colleagues and managers, right from the books of highly  successful  people.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!1. Take ownershipRather than wait to be “voluntold,” take ownership of a project or initiative and run with it. Naturally, it’s ideal if it’s work you’re genuinely  passionate  about, but even if you aren’t, consider offering your  leadership  anyway. You might end up loving the assignment, and your boss will appreciate your ingenuity. Star employees possess a “roll-up-the-sleeves” mentality and a fearless enthusiasm to try new things and take risks.2. Be timelyWhether it’s a phone meeting or conference room gathering, arrive a few minutes early. Get water or coffee in advance and boot up the laptop. The few minutes these things take shouldn’t be part of the meeting â€" it’s more than just your time that you’re respecting.3. Keep promisesFew things will plummet your reputation more quickly than lack of follow-through. Show your commitment to the company by working hard, persevering through setbacks and finding alternative solutions to achieve the best results.4. Offer counterpointsThoughtfully point out considerations that further illuminate an issue.  It shows you have thought it through and have potential solutions or an alternative point of view.5. Think forwardThere’s magic in the words “It’s already done.” Integrate yourself in the office and look for opportunities to anticipate what needs to be handled before it becomes a need.6. Be flexibleBusiness priorities can shift quickly and it reflects well if you can react and adapt in the moment. While other employees might grumble, use this as an oppor tunity to demonstrate your leadership and resilience by jumping into action.7. Be passionateI’ve worked with all kinds of employees, and what I know for sure is the ones who approach their work with  passion  always stand out above the rest. Their commitment and positivity influence fellow employees and often helps the business achieve goals that seemed lofty, simply because their vision was so convicted.8. Keep calmWe’ve all worked with people who seem to bring and create drama wherever they go. It’s one of the most draining and demoralizing traits in the workplace. Great employees don’t allow themselves to be drawn into this type of behavior, use their position to squelch it, or get angry. Learn how to maintain your composure and stay cool under pressure.9. Be innovativeTackle problems head-on and find ways to create process efficiencies, save money or introduce a new concept.10. Get smartWhether it’s a global issue, an industry trend, or the latest best seller, stay inf ormed. Chances are, by keeping up on what’s happening in the world, you’ll be able to offer intelligent insight on a variety of topics.Tiffany Couch is the CEO and founder of  Acuity Forensics, a forensic accounting and fraud investigation firm that helps unravel complex financial crimes.A version of this post previously appeared on  Fairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people 10 things smart people do to enhance their reputation at work Few things feel better than working in an office where you feel appreciated, respected and well-liked. If you’re feeling less than admired, consider the following actions to boost your professional reputation with colleagues and managers, right from the books of highly  successful  people.1. Take ownershipRather than wait to be “voluntold,” take ownership of a project or initiative and run with it. Naturally, it’s ideal if it’s work you’re genuinely  passionate  about, but even if you aren’t, consider offering your  leadership  anyway. You might end up loving the assignment, and your boss will appreciate your ingenuity. Star employees possess a “roll-up-the-sleeves” mentality and a fearless enthusiasm to try new things and take risks.2. Be timelyWhether it’s a phone meeting or conference room gathering, arrive a few minutes early. Get water or coffee in advance and boot up the laptop. The few minutes these things take shouldn’t be part of the meeting â€" it’s more than just your time that you’re respecting.3. Keep promisesFew things will plummet your reputation more quickly than lack of follow-through. Show your commitment to the company by working hard, persevering through setbacks and finding alternative solutions to achieve the best results.4. Offer counterpointsThoughtfully point out considerations that further illuminate an issue.  It shows you have thought it through and have potential solutions or an alternative point of view.5. Think forwardThere’s magic in the words “It’s already done.” Integrate yourself in the office and look for opportunities to anticipate what needs to be handled before it becomes a need.6. Be flexibleBusiness priorities can shift quickly and it reflects well if you can react and adapt in the moment. While other employees might grumble, use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership and resilience by jumping into action.7. Be passionateI’ve worked with all kinds of employees, and what I know for sure is the ones who approach their work with  passion  always stand out above the rest. Their commitment and positivity influence fellow employees and often helps the business achieve goals that seemed lofty, simply because their vision was so convicted.8. Keep calmWe’ve all worked with people who seem to bring and create drama wherever they go. It’s one of the most draining and demoralizing traits in the workplace. Great employees don’t allow themselves to be drawn into this type of behavior, use their position to squelch it, or get angry. Learn how to maintain your composure and stay cool under pressure.9. Be innovativeTackle problems head-on and find ways to create process efficiencies, save money or introduce a new concept.10. Get smartWhether it’s a global issue, an industry trend, or the latest best seller, stay informed. Chances are, by keeping up on what’s happening in the world, you’ll be able to offer intelligent insight on a variety of topics.Tiff any Couch is the CEO and founder of  Acuity Forensics, a forensic accounting and fraud investigation firm that helps unravel complex financial crimes.A version of this post previously appeared on  Fairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.