CHARACTER VERSUS REPUTATION

By Olu-Ojegbeje Ololade

Few weeks ago, I was taking a stroll with a friend and the question popped: Would you rather monitor your reputation over your character? I was dumbfounded. “Why would someone even ask that question I thought”. “Reputation is more important. I mean everyone should protect their reputation” I answered. “Think on it” he said after a long gaze. He left that day and the question kept ringing in my head.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines character as a complex, mental and ethical traits marking a person or group. Reputation on the other hand, is the estimation people have about a person.

Character and reputation are two different concepts that work pari passu. One cannot exist without the other—you cannot develop a reputation without a commensurate character. Therefore, possessing a character is unavoidable. Very many people consider reputation as being more important, while some others cannot just let go of their reputation and therefore fall into a world of hypocrisy.

The truth however is reputation is only a formulated opinion while your character is you. It is important for people to think highly of you but your life should not be based on it. Work on your character rather than working on your reputation. When you work on your character, you are working on who you are when no one is watching and sets you apart.

Every day, we have different resolutions yet we focus more on our reputation instead of on our character. We should set examples but when our examples are artificial and not really a part of our lives, it hurts.

It may take eternity to build a soils reputation but could be dragged in the mud in second by a misdeed. When we regard integrity and dignity as values taught everywhere in the world, we will be continuously startled by news of moral downfall. Men of high integrity and great reputation have disappointed their people with a misdeed that surfaced from who they really were.

Character can be likened to a tree and reputation, its shadow. A shadow reflects the element from which of proceeds. One cannot have a bad character and expect a good reputation.

Self improvement can be of great help on one’s character. When one improves on oneself, you improve on your character, thereby developing a commensurate reputation. “People do not judge who we are, they judge who we led them to believe we are” says John Wooden. The more time and effort we put into making ourselves look great, the longer and harder we fall when the truth us let out.

Williams Hersey Davis says “The circumstance amid which you live determines your reputation. The truth you believe determines your character”. You cannot avoid it. You can control your character but never your reputation. Mind the life you lead.