Character vs Reputation

Recently I have had a number of conversations with people surrounding the following:

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” - John Wooden

The reactions to the statement are mixed. Some think that reputation (the perception that others have about you) is very important, while some believe that perception is overrated. Is there a difference between the two?

From my point of view character is the more important. Your character, or core beliefs, dictate how you act  and those visible actions will result in a reputation. It is very possible that individuals without a full understanding of a situation will have a negative perception of you and/or your actions, but in the end that is really a battle for them to resolve.

I submit to you that:

To remain righteous an individual must do the right thing, without regard for what others will think or how they will respond. To that end…The right thing to do remains so even in adversity.

In the end we are the sum of what we have done and what we have failed to do.