One word can say so much and some words, like 'reputation' take on a whole new meaning depending on the context. Just think of something as simple as 'she's got a reputation' which implies she's a loose woman and one to be heeded. Either way it's not good but then when you hear someone say 'he/she has survived on reputation' it takes on a whole new meaning. It describes someone who is both worthy and deserving, someone who has earned something on merit.
I was looking back over the years at the people I'd worked with and those who I'd enjoyed the best relationships with. Without question it was those I respected that I liked the most. They were the types who were comfortable with themselves and whose behavior both professionally and socially were admirable. Each time you met them they were the same and when you spoke to others you'd hear the same remarks, 'Good guy, nice girl, I like them' and where people were uncomplimentary it was probably because they were jealous. They wished they could be more like them and hated the people who gave them accolades and to retaliate they'd be insulting or sarcastic.
These are people who earned a reputation, it's not something that comes easy and it isn't something you can force on people. It's there because of the constant way you conduct your life and your affairs. People can rely on you, they know what to expect and they're understanding when things don't go quite the way they should. They respect you because of a consistency in the way you are, they sort of feel safe with you and at ease. You show the basic human ingredients that so many lack nowadays. Reputable people are trustworthy, loyal and have standards they live up to, not because they want to show off but because they want to do something to the best of their ability. They want to do everything in their power to do whatever they can to make it a success.
Nothing is of any value unless you earned it. The music industry thrived for so many years because of the sum total of its parts, not just the artists but the whole infrastructure. It was a business where people collaborated with one another and where each contributed to the end result. They made it happen, they made it a success. They didn't wallow in their own glory and when one project was over they moved to the next with the same belief and with the same determination. It was done in perfect harmony. Your work colleagues were your mentors,they mentored you and you, in turn mentored them. If you worked with someone who had a reputation of being successful it drove you to reach those heights, you wanted to be as good at what you did as they were at what they did. It was a natural human instinct, no sel-respecting person employed to do a task with others wanted to lag behind.
Reputation is born out of pride and integrity, groomed from respect and deserved through merit. If you do something long enough and you do it well then recognition is the ultimate reward. No one need utter words of congratulations if you are true to yourself and know you tried your hardest. When you know what you have achieved and when you can see how others have benefited from the results it's safe to reflect in the gratification. And to know your reputation is something that you have earned.
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