How to Fix Your Reputation After a Scandal
You're dealing with a scandal at work. Your reputation's in the gutter. People are whispering. Your career's on the line.
It's not over. Here's how to fix your reputation after a scandal.
Because sometimes, all you need is a nudge in the right direction to get things back on track after a scandal. A reminder that life isn't over, that nothing is insurmountable, and that your story isn't finished yet.
So, let's cut the crap and get to work on your reputation management.
What Makes a Person's Reputation?
As a conflict coach, I like to think of your reputation as the sum of:
Your actions
Other people's perceptions
The stories they tell about you
You spend years building trust, credibility, and respect. Then, in one moment of weakness or poor judgment, it all goes up in smoke and you get canceled.
That's the cruel reality of reputations – they take forever to build and seconds to destroy.
But the good news is that your tarnished reputation isn't just about you.
It's about how others perceive you.
And perceptions? They can be changed.
Signs Your Reputation Is Ruined
Sometimes a damaged reputation is obvious. Other times, you might wonder if you're actually just imagining things.
Here are some red flags to watch out for:
The whispers stop when you enter a room
You're suddenly uninvited from meetings
Your ideas are ignored or dismissed
Colleagues avoid eye contact
Your workload mysteriously decreases
You're left out of important email threads
Social invitations dry up (and fast)
Your boss starts documenting every interaction with you
You're passed over for promotions or exciting opportunities in your career
People stop coming to you for advice or expertise
Workplace conflict is more common than you may think. In fact, 85% of employees experience some kind of conflict. So you're not alone.
If your good reputation is suddenly in shambles, don't panic. Reputation repair for your professional and personal brand is possible, even if it doesn't feel this way right now.
Reputation Damage Control: How to Bounce Back from a Scandal
Scandals happen. Even to good people. Even to powerful people.
(Think: Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky, Lance Armstrong for performance-enhancing drugs, Winona Ryder for shoplifting, the list goes on.)
Imagine this...
You're in a marriage where you've always felt like the second choice.
Then, one day, someone new enters your life - someone who makes you feel truly seen, like you finally matter. Against your better judgment, things escalate.
Before you know it, you're in the midst of a full-blown affair.
You decide to take control, to start fresh. You leave your marriage. You plan a future with your new partner.
But then, reality hits. The relationship isn't what you thought. It becomes toxic, even abusive - unsustainable. You know it has to end.
And then... the secret you thought you were keeping? It wasn't a secret at all.
People KNOW. And they're talking. It's the first thing people mention when your name comes up. Your boss knows. Your industry knows.
It's a full-on scandal.
Suddenly, you've lost everything. Your marriage, your relationship, your aspirations, your friends, your reputation. And you're left wondering - how do I come back from this?
That's exactly where one of my clients found herself when we first met.
But fast forward less than a year, and everything has changed.
She's no longer the person people mess with.
She's a force to be reckoned with - radiating authority and kindness in equal measure.
She's a rising star in her company, achieving more before 35 than most do in a lifetime.
Yes, she even got a promotion and a bonus that made her investment in coaching a 10x return.
On the personal front? She's in a loving, healthy relationship with her dream partner.
But what's more impressive is her newfound comfort in her own skin - she openly says she'd be fine on her own.
She's nurtured stronger friendships and built a supportive community around her.
Her reputation? Solid as a rock. Unimpeachable.
So, how did she do it? How can YOU do it?
How to Fix Your Reputation at Work: 7 No-BS Steps
1. Own Your Sh*t
Stop making excuses. Own up to what you did wrong. No "buts," no "ifs," no "howevers."
Just a straightforward: "I messed up. Here's what I did wrong."
This expressed regret isn't just to clear your conscience.
Taking responsibility also shows others that you have the guts to face your mistakes head-on.
Despite the reputational risk, you CAN demonstrate integrity in the face of adversity.
When you own your mistakes, you take control of the narrative. You show that you're not hiding from real life, not deflecting, and not playing the blame game.
And that has a genuine impact on the people around you.
2. Listen
After you've owned up, it's time to listen to what people have to say about your actions. It'll sting, but you need to hear it.
Don't interrupt. Don't defend yourself. Just. Listen.
You're gathering information to inform your future moves. But you're also making amends by showing others that you value their perspectives, even when they're critical of you.
When you listen – really listen – you're sending a powerful message: "I care about how my actions have affected you." And that is the first step that a bad reputation requires to rebuild trust.
3. Make Amends (For Real)
Empty apologies won't cut it. You need to make real, tangible amends.
If you screwed up a project, work to fix it. If you betrayed someone's trust, ask them what you can do to make it right.
And then do it. No questions asked.
I'm not telling you to try to erase the past or let people walk all over you. You don't need to transfigure into a placemat to fix your bad reputation.
But if you truly did something wrong, making tangible amends will show people that you're committed to doing things differently and putting your money where your mouth is.
Because we all know that actions speak louder than words.
4. Become Invaluable
Want people to finally move past your screw-up? Become so damn good at your job that they can't ignore you.
Work harder. Work smarter. Deliver results that make jaws drop.
When you consistently demonstrate your value to the team and the company, you make yourself indispensable.
So, people start to see you differently. Your past begins to fade in the light of who you are NOW - a person who's not letting one bad decision limit your potential.
5. Rebuild Trust, One Person at a Time
You can't fix your reputation by sending a mass email apology. Sorry.
For most people, it's a one-on-one process.
Start with key influencers in your workplace. Have honest conversations. Show them you've changed through your actions, not just your words.
Repairing relationships takes time, but it's one of the best strategies if you want to overcome a setback.
6. Be Consistent AF
The most important thing to remember is that one week of good behavior doesn't erase months of scandal.
Be consistent with your reputational damage management. Every. Single. Day.
No slip-ups. No backsliding. Give them consistent, rock-solid performance.
Because consistency builds credibility.
When people see you consistently doing the right thing, consistently delivering results, and consistently being a team player – that's when they start to trust you again.
7. Play the Long Game
The truth is that building a good reputation again will probably take a few months. And that's okay.
Don't expect overnight miracles.
Instead, focus on steady, continuous improvement, celebrate small wins, and learn from setbacks - all while keeping your eye on the long-term goal.
Your reputation wasn't built in a day, and it won't be rebuilt in a day either. But it'll feel so good to come out on top again.
How to Fix Your Reputation If You Didn't Do Anything Wrong
Sometimes, your reputation takes a hit even when you didn't do anything wrong. Or at least, nothing that should matter in your professional life.
Take my client's story, for example. Her affair? That's her personal life. Should it have mattered in her professional world? No. But did it? Unfortunately, yes.
So what do you do when your reputation is in tatters, but you don't believe you should have to apologize?
The first step is to stand your ground respectfully, without getting aggressive or defensive.
Simply state your position clearly and calmly.
"I understand that my personal choices have become a topic of discussion. While I respect everyone's right to their opinion, I don't believe my personal life affects my professional capabilities or integrity."
For a personalized strategy, learn more about my 1:1 coaching services.
How to Fix Your Online Reputation
You probably already know that your online reputation is just as important as your offline one.
We're all constantly glued to our devices, so here are a few tips on how to improve your digital presence after a scandal:
Google yourself regularly: Know what's out there. Set up Google Alerts for your name to stay on top of new mentions.
Address negative content: If there are false claims, reach out to website owners to have them removed. If the negative content is true, create content that shows how you've grown or changed since then.
Be careful about what you post going forward: You can use privacy settings, but remember that nothing online is truly private. Would you be okay with your boss or grandma seeing what you want to post?
The internet never forgets, but it can be persuaded to focus on something else. Your job is to give it plenty of other positive things to focus on :)
FAQs
Can One Mistake Ruin Your Reputation?
Unfortunately yes, it can. But the silver lining is that if one mistake can ruin it, then one comeback can save it. To fix your reputation after a scandal, you must act quickly and decisively. Don't try to sweep it under the rug. Face it head-on, own your mistake, and focus on what you're going to do to make it right. Your response to a mistake can often have a bigger impact on your reputation than the mistake itself.
How Do You Know If Your Reputation Is Ruined?
In short? People treat you differently. Conversations stop when you walk in. You're left out of important meetings. Your opinions are suddenly worthless. If you're experiencing social and professional exile, it's a sure sign that your reputation isn't doing too hot at the moment and it's time to take tangible action to repair it.
Can You Sue for Damaging Your Reputation?
Sure, and it might be a part of your reputation management strategy (but it doesn't always have to be). You can typically sue for defamation, slander, or libel, depending on the specifics. But it's important to remember that lawsuits can be messy and expensive, and winning doesn't automatically fix your reputation. There are other steps that you'll have to take, too.
Can a Bad Reputation Be Fixed?
Absolutely, but you need to have the right reputation management strategy, consistency, and a thick skin. Fixing a bad reputation is a gradual process, not an event. You need to be patient, persistent, and, for best results, work with a professional who can help you through life’s big sh*t and teach you how to kick ass (AKA, me).
How Do I Stop Worrying About My Reputation?
You don't. Not completely. A healthy concern for your reputation keeps you in check, but you don't have to obsess over it. Focus on being the best version of yourself. Your reputation is important, but it shouldn't consume you. Live according to your values, do your best work, and treat others with respect. The rest will follow.
Ready to Fix Your Reputation After a Scandal and Come Out Stronger?
One scandal doesn't have to define your entire future. Your reputation is a living, breathing thing that you have the power to shape - especially with the right support.
If you need to recover from a personal or professional scandal, learn more about The Step Up Membership and my 1:1 coaching services.
