Communicating Credibility

"It will be frustrating or worse when our contributions do not seem to be understood, accepted, or appreciated. We are wise to pay attention to how we are being perceived in personal life (e.g., how an in-law regards us as a parent), in professional life (e.g., how an administrator evaluates a project we created), and in community life (e.g., how family or friends react to a speech we present)."

"Since ancient times, scholars have tried to figure out what credibility is and what makes some people more credible than others. Credibility is the extent to which a communicator is perceived as competent, trustworthy, sincere, dynamic, and strong. We can break credibility down into these five interrelated characteristics: Competent = having knowledge and expertise Trustworthy = being responsible and dependable Sincere = being genuine, earnest, ethical Dynamic = showing interest, vitality, and spirit Strong = being powerful, able, and effective"

Perceptions in personal, professional, and community contexts influence outcomes and can cause frustration when contributions are misunderstood or unappreciated. Credibility represents image, identity, reputation, or standing in a specific situation or relationship. Credibility requires realistic awareness of one’s knowledge, skills, and experience and the ability to communicate those qualities so others understand and accept them. Credibility consists of five interrelated characteristics: competence (knowledge and expertise), trustworthiness (responsibility and dependability), sincerity (genuineness and ethics), dynamism (interest and vitality), and strength (power and effectiveness). These characteristics blend differently across roles and situations.

Read at Psychology Today