It always comes as a shock to find out that others see us quitedifferently than we see ourselves. More often than not, it can bedistressing, particularly at work. “I don't get it. I'm not thatway.” Maybe not. But it happens. And when it does, a bad rep canstick tighter than super glue thanks to word-of-mouth and social media.

Related: Insurance agents and online reputationmanagement

In today's highly competitive workplace, reputation makes adifference. Your competition can be down the hall, across thecountry, or 10 feet away. It can be someone who wants your customeror your job — maybe both.

Shape & manage your reputation

When it comes to your reputation, hoping for the best isn't goodenough. It leaves it in the hands of others. Your reputation needsto be shaped and managed so it reflects the way you want to beviewed.

Here are 22 ways to go about deliberately shaping how others seeyou:

1. Take on extra work. Sure, you've got more thanenough on your plate, so why pile on anything more? It lets youdemonstrate your ability to shoulder a heavier load. And thatdoesn't go unnoticed.
2. Meet deadlines. “I didn't have enough time,”may be the top excuse for failing to meet deadlines, as ifsomething beyond our control intervened and caused us to fail. Whatreally happens is that we run out of time — and that's due to poorplanning.
3. Come up with ideas to improve something. Itisn't that most people don't have ideas; it's simply they're afraidto present them — what will people think? Maybe it's stupid? Take achance. You'll be surprised.
4. Express appreciation to someone who helps. Weall get busy and move from one thing to another, and before we knowit, several people have come to our aid. Just another day at theoffice. It shouldn't be. Make it a point to say thanks.
5. Give credit to others. It seems as if itdiminishes us if we make a point to give a “shout out” to aco-worker. But just the opposite is true. It says we understandwhat it means to be a team player.
6. Pitch in when someone is out. Whether it'staking messages, answering questions, or solving a problem, it saysyou have their back. It won't be forgotten.
7. Ask questions. We've all been in meetingswhere stuff goes by that's new, unclear or confusing. Ask aquestion. Don't assume you're the only one who didn't get it. Itshows you're thinking.
8. Be careful about complaining. When there'snothing else to do, it's complain time, particularly at lunch orafter work. Complaining can be toxic and those who do it put theirreputation at risk.
9. Welcome new co-workers. There's a reason to bethe first: first impressions are indelible and you will beremembered.
10. Go out of your way to help customers. Look atthese as opportunities, not interferences. They're memorable.Customers like to talk about the times whensomeone took did something special for them.
11. Come up with solutions for problems. Avoid thenatural instinct to hold back and play it safe: What if it doesn'twork out? Or, it's rejected? Give it a try and you may be surprisedwhat happens.
12. Offer suggestions so others don't trip themselvesup. “Would it be helpful to look at it this way?” or “Haveyou considered other possibilities?” Such questions can help rescuesomeone from stepping off a cliff, from making an unnecessarymistake. They won't forget it.
13. Admit it when you're wrong. It's easy to say,“Everybody makes mistakes” or “I'm just human” when we getsomething wrong. But passing it off is quite different from takingownership and saying, “I was wrong.” Both impact one'sreputation.
14. If you spot a problem, propose a solution.Identifying problems is a popular workplace pastime. Coming up withpossible solutions, not so much. One is seen as complaining, theother as being helpful.
15. Step back to get a bigger picture. What'sgoing on right around us holds our attention, blinding us to thebigger picture, distorting our thinking, and causing us to reactinappropriately. It helps to step back so we can see moreclearly.
16. Pay attention to details. Nothing is moredisruptive, embarrassing, and frustrating than the wrong address orprice, a phone number that's one digit off, a misspelling, orsomething that was left out. Reputations are made on accuracy; theopposite is also true.
17. Don't make excuses. It's quite simple: theopposite of making excuses is taking responsibility. Either way,there's a reward, one you want and one you don't.
18. Avoid having someone remind you. Digitalcalendars and reminders should eliminate the need for someone toremind us. It hasn't. The offenders are just more visible.
19. Thank those who help you. Although we may notadmit it, there are many hands pulling up our bootstraps, not justour own. Be generous in expressing appreciation to everyone wholiterally gives you a hand.
20. Tell someone when they do a good job.Criticism comes easily, praise not so much. Most people benefitfrom less of the former and more the latter.
21. Welcome challenges. If all we know is whatwe're doing now at work, we're coasting. When we dare to step outof our comfort zone and take risks, we do more than just holding ajob.
22. Smile more. A Penn State study found thatsmiling employees are more approachable, likeable and appear morecompetent, as well as more trustworthy, according to University ofPittsburgh researchers.

When all is said and done, your reputation is what you makeit.

Related: 3 ways top insurance producers grow their businesswithout saying a word

John R. Graham of GrahamComm is a marketing and salesstrategy consultant and business writer. He is the creator of“Magnet Marketing,” and publishes a free monthly eBulletin,“No Nonsense Marketing & Sales Ideas.” You can email himat [email protected] or call him at617-774-9759.