Reputation is defined as “the estimation in which a person or thing is held, especially by the community or the public generally,” according to Dictionary.com. We work hard to build a reputation for ourselves, the companies and/or organizations with which we work. In some cases, others try to destroy that same reputation. The water gets very murky when the issue is one of social values, and the civil discord between Republicans and Democrats seems to be about destroying each other’s reputation. This inherent conflict for social justice has led to some poor behavior from each side. The end result is not one side winning—as each had hoped—but a loss of reputation, credibility and character for both.
For proof, I submit a recent poll that reveals only 5 percent of the public feels Congress is doing a good job. This translates to the overall big picture that both sides have failed. The construction industry is not immune from suffering a similar fate of public disdain. Some public opinion of construction workers is not flattering and this is not limited to just the on-site worker. Similar to individual members of Congress, we may want to believe that we are immune and above that negative perception. But in reality, we are tethered to this perception and trying to alter that reputation takes work, a lot of work.