Estimated Runtime: ~7 minutes
Your reputation is being written from the moment you walk through the door.
Every email you send, every meeting you attend, every deadline you hit or miss —
people are forming opinions. And here's the thing: you can either let your
reputation happen to you, or you can intentionally shape it. Guess which
approach top performers take.
Three pillars: reliability, quality, visibility. Reliability is the foundation.
Do what you say, when you say. It sounds basic, but I've seen brilliant people
destroy their reputation by consistently missing deadlines. Underpromise and
overdeliver. If you think it takes three days, say four. When you deliver in
three, you look like a star.
Quality is the differentiator. Don't submit anything you wouldn't be proud to
put your name on. Before hitting send, ask: is this my best work? Could I make
this clearer, more thorough, more polished? The extra thirty minutes of polish
is what separates "good hire" from "exceptional hire.
Visibility is the amplifier. Reliability and quality only matter if people see
them. Volunteer for cross-functional projects. Present updates in meetings.
Write documentation that helps others. This isn't self-promotion — it's
professional visibility. There's a difference.
Don't wait for annual reviews. At ninety days, schedule a feedback conversation
with your manager. Ask: "What should I keep doing? What should I change? What
opportunities do you see for my growth?" This shows self-awareness and
coachability — traits that fast-track careers.
Your brand is being built whether you're intentional about it or not. Be
intentional. Define the three words you want people to associate with your work.
Then live them every day. This completes Module Eight — your first ninety days
system. Module Nine takes us into long-term career growth and advancement.