People don’t often surprise us. In most cases, their behaviour tells us everything we need to know about them, good or bad. We tend to look back on unhealthy relationships or jobs and recognise that the warning signs were there right from the get-go, but we chose to ignore them. People are showing us all the time who they truly are; we just need to pay attention.

The same can be said of your own public image. Your behaviour is your calling card to the world. The way you interact with the people around you tells everyone what your values are. The decisions and choices that you make are absolutely reflective of what matters to you.

When a person’s words don’t align with their actions, trust becomes an issue. They might say they feel a certain way, or are planning to do something, but as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. That’s why it’s so important to watch what people do, not what they say.

Our challenge to you today is to ask yourself:

• What do I do when no-one is watching?
• Are my words and actions in sync?
• Does my behaviour gel with the brand I’m trying to create?

As for the people around you, learn to hone your observational skills. We humans are pretty instinctive and intuitive. All the signs are there; we just have to watch what people are doing and make good choices. There are rarely any surprises.

– The Coach Place Global

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