Your Workplace Brand: What Are People Saying About You? The Power of Professional Presence

How would you like to be perceived?

How you are perceived often influences the opportunities that are offered to you, how seriously your views are taken and the trust and respect of your colleagues and managers. Consider how you would like others to describe you – for example, professional, reliable, approachable, confident but respectful, supportive and inclusive or perhaps proactive and motivated.

How you are perceived will be shaped by your consistent actions.

What do you want to achieve?

Clarifying your personal goals helps align your behaviour with your purpose.

You may want to progress or develop within your role, build credibility and trust, improve working relationships, be seen as someone who can be relied upon. You may want to increase confidence and self‑belief at work, or create a positive, supportive environment for others

Ask yourself what impact do I want to have on my team or workplace? Here are some ideas of some behaviours and characteristics that help to create a positive impact on those around you.

Professional behaviour

  • Be punctual and prepared
  • Dress appropriately and be aware of your body language
  • Communicate respectfully
  • Follow workplace policies and boundaries

Communication

  • Maintain a clear, calm, and respectful tone
  • Employ active listening (see Welfare Updates on this topic for more information)
  • Ask for clarification when needed
  • Speak appropriately in meetings and shared spaces

Attitude

  • Be willing to learn and improve
  • Be open to feedback
  • Keep a positive, solution‑focused mindset
  • Take responsibility rather than blaming

Emotional awareness

  • Manage stress and emotions appropriately
  • Remain calm in challenging situations
  • Show empathy towards colleagues
  • Know when to seek support

Behaviours that can have a negative impact (and why they matter)

Being aware of unhelpful behaviours allows for growth.

Examples of negative behaviours can include negative talk or gossip, being defensive when responding to feedback, poor attendance or timekeeping, a lack of engagement or effort or unprofessional language or behaviour.

These negative behaviours can affect team morale, trust in you and your reputation, your workplace relationships and career progression.

Practical steps to present yourself positively

  • Reflect regularly on your behaviour and attitude
  • Ask for constructive feedback
  • Set personal development goals
  • Be mindful of how you communicate — in person and online
  • Look after your wellbeing to maintain balance and resilience

Presenting yourself in your best light is not about being perfect, it’s about self‑awareness, demonstrating respect for others, consistency and a willingness to grow. When people feel valued, professionals feel confident, and teams thrive.

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