In marketing, there’s a concept called ‘positioning’ which is how consumers perceive a brand. It also informs how the brand is marketed by the company. It’s the difference in your mind between BMW and Mercedes, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, Nike and Golden Goose. Each of those brands holds some position in your mind, and those brands work hard to make sure they maintain that position.
Positioning can also apply to how we’re perceived in relation to others. Are we trusted and judicious? Speedy and efficient? Methodical and engaged?
Whether you like it or not, everything little thing you do builds on how you’re positioned in the minds of those you interact with. Taking the call, making the time, sharing the win. Even choosing not to interact with people affects your positioning.
I’m not suggesting you be everything to everyone – what kind of position would that be anyway? But if everything we do can make a difference in how we’re perceived by others, it’s worth being judicious with even the little things.