Credibility
Credibility is the quality or power of inspiring belief or trustworthiness. In the professional world, a person's or company's credibility often determines success or failure. [1] Today, credibility online has become an important topic.
Build your credibility before persuading.
American credibility in the war on terrorism depends on a strong stand against all terrorist acts, whether committed by foe or friend. Arlen Specter.
Synonyms: plausible, likely, reasonable, tenable.
Factors Impacting Credibility
Credibility-enhancing actions include: Showing you care about the other person and have their best interests at heart. [2]
Language that reduces credibility includes: Totally and absolutely excessive exaggeration. Ibidem
Whitehead, J.L. (1968) identified expertise, dynamism, and trustworthiness as factors impacting credibility; other key factors that impact credibility include: age, gender, country of origin, and education and income levels. [3]
Establishing credibility includes:
- Being honest is more than telling the truth. Hidden agendas and withheld information compromise your honesty even if everything you say is true.
- Follow through with promises.
- Back up your words.
- Maintain confidentiality. [4]
Objectivity and Credibility
Be objective and specific and support what you say with evidence, such as facts, statistics or testimonials. Be even-handed; If you are presenting possibilities, give all options a fair hearing and don’t leave out important information. If your reader finds out you’ve omitted key facts, you’ll lose credibility.[5]
| “ | The merits of each evaluation role will be discussed as to its relationship with credibility, objectivity, independence and usefulness. | ” |
See also
External links
- Digital Media and Credibility.
- Web Credibility Project. Stanford University.
- Online Credibility: How To Gain More Of It.
- How to Make Yourself a More Credible Speaker. by Guila Muir and Associates.