To be seen as a strategic executor, consistently apply a simple three-step process: 1) Say what you're going to do. 2) Do the work. 3) Say you did it, celebrating the outcome and reminding stakeholders of the original commitment. This loop builds trust and reinforces your strategic capability.

Effective reputation-building isn't about personal popularity. It starts with defining an ambitious mission (e.g., "build super intelligence"). Then, ask: "As a means to that end, what do people need to know about me?" This mission-first approach guides all communication tactics.

When eulogized, a person's career accomplishments are footnotes. The core of their legacy is their character—how they behaved and treated others—and their service. This reality should inform how we prioritize our daily actions, focusing on behavior over status or material success.

The initial goal of building a company that endures can be misplaced. A more meaningful and lasting legacy is created through the people you train and empower. The corporate entity may fade, but the skills and values instilled in your team will ripple outwards for decades through their own ventures and leadership.

Bozoma Saint John reframes the concept of a 'personal brand' as the modern term for 'reputation.' It’s not something you strategically build by mimicking successful people, but rather something that emerges authentically from being consistently yourself. This authenticity builds trust and is ultimately more sustainable.

People determine your character by observing your interactions with those who seemingly can't advance your career, like service staff. Acknowledging and thanking a podcast producer or an AV technician is an 'absurdly' small act that provides a powerful, memorable shortcut for others to understand your entire character.

Lecturer Bill Meehan's former employees volunteered countless unpaid hours for him years later. Their reason: "we could never pay Bill back for what he did for us." This reveals a powerful, lagging indicator of leadership: the voluntary loyalty of former reports.

True long-term impact comes from mentoring and developing people, not just hitting business targets. Helping others succeed in their careers creates a ripple effect that benefits individuals and companies, providing a deeper sense of fulfillment than any single project or promotion.

People connect with humanity, not perfection. True leadership requires understanding your own narrative, including flaws and traumas. Sharing this story isn't a weakness; it's the foundation of the connection and trust that modern teams crave, as it proves we are all human.