Is Your Credibility Transferable?

Taking a lighter spin on the credibility questions I've been pondering this week, I'll close it out with one final question.

Let's start with a given - you are credible. You have the credibility card in your wallet, framed on your wall, taped to your computer monitor or pinned to your bulletin board.

Stop, take a close look and read the fine print.

Is your credibility transferable?

Is credbility linked to a task, a situation, or something much more? Is it only skin deep or does it come from your core?

If I am credible here, am I credible there? Can I pick up my credibility and take it most anywhere? 

Photo credit Justfacs via Google Images

Comments

[Laura Schroeder]

Lisa, what great questions! I think there are people who carry their credibility with them, i.e., who own a room no matter what their business card says. Or people who have earned credibility in a given area over the years. But credibility can also be transferred pretty easily, such as when an executive introduces someone as an expert, leader or topic owner. They may be a total weanie but everyone takes them seriously - or at least pretends to - because they have a title or executive support.

[LoyalNation]

I love this question. Working for a company focused on employee rewards and recognition, we see people being recognized as credible all the time. The trophy, the clock, or the certificate is proof that they have a reputation as being credible and trustworthy to work at least the company desired maximum level - if not beyond. But what does that trophy or clock mean at their next place of employment. More importantly, what does that level of credibility in one role or workplace mean in another?

[Alan Hill]

You ask an ancient question :)

Aristotle had this topic covered in his book on Rhetoric (http://www.public.iastate.edu/~honeyl/Rhetoric/index.html).

Specifically, he suggested that Ethos (the credibility of a speaker) is a critical component to persuasion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modes_of_persuasion

“Ethos is how well the speaker convinces the audience that he or she is qualified to speak on the particular subject.”

In my training as a speaker they teach how to introduce someone from the stage – the importance of a proper introduction is to transfer credibility (or lend credibility) from someone recognized in the organization to a guest speaker. When well delivered the introduction serves to answer the question ‘why should I listen to this person?’

Can it be lent? Yes, but introductions can’t be lent for long before the audience begins to make up their own opinion based on their logical (logos) and emotional (pathos) appeal.

Also letters of introduction from the church – introducing new members to a new church community (not often practiced today) was a way of conferring or transferring credibility for church members, in effect, causing them to be accepted into their new community.

And something perhaps you’re familiar with, letters of nomination from a member of congress (http://www.ehow.com/how_7884736_congressional-nomination-military-school.html). These are in effect borrowing the credibility of the congressperson to vouch for the applicant.

These are examples of credibility borrowed/shared

[Lisa Rosendahl]

Laura, Loyal Nation and Alan, thank you for taking the time to respond.

Laura, transferring your credibility to another is a perspective I had not considered. Hmmm. . .

Loyal Nation, you ask a good question and leads me to "reputation"

Alan, Alan, Alan - and here I thought I had an original idea! Darn Aristotle. I'll be following your links as I get back into the presentation. Wonderful, wonderful resources.