Power Play 05: Guard the Brand Like It’s the Bag
- Edward Graves
- May 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 11
Power. Performance. Politics.
Power Play 05: Guard the Brand Like It’s the Bag
So Much Depends on Reputation — Guard it With Your Life
Metaphorical Truth: Your name buys you things your resume can’t. Lose that, and everything’s on clearance.
Opening Story: The Invisible Receipt
Reputation is a currency. A good one will let you walk through doors you didn’t even knock on. But the moment it shifts—even subtly—those same doors close silently, without warning, and without explanation.
They won’t always cancel you. They’ll just cool you off and when your name doesn’t hit like it used to, you’ll feel it—less access, fewer calls, shorter leashes.
You can repair a record. You can’t always reclaim perception.
In the Boardroom – Executive Insight
The Problem: You’re one misstep away from being framed as “a liability.” Not because of what you did—but because of how you’ve been discussed.
From Experience: In consulting, I once got a call back from someone who passed on my proposal a year earlier. He said, “We heard things were a bit too bold back then.” Not wrong. Not incompetent. Just too bold. That was reputation-control language. Someone made sure my edge felt like a risk, not a resource.
The Strategy: Own your narrative early. Be intentional about who introduces you and how. Visibility without control is just exposure.
The Power Play: Guard your name like it’s your product, because in rooms of power, it is.
In the Office – Athletic Directors
The Problem: One board whisper, one article, one disgruntled parent, and years of clean program-building are questioned overnight.
Seen It Before: I’ve watched ADs go down not over budgets or performance, but perception. Suddenly they’re “hard to work with.” “Out of touch.” “Not a good culture fit.” These aren’t disqualifications. They’re reputation wounds, slow bleeds that no one bandages.
The Strategy: Document everything. Communicate clearly. Shape your brand internally, not just externally.
The Power Play: Reputation isn’t protected by performance alone, it’s protected by political clarity.
On the Sideline – Coaches
The Problem: One game-day call. One misunderstood comment. One parent. And your whole year is redefined.
From Experience: I’ve had seasons where I gave everything to my team, but one loud narrative clouded everything. I kept receipts. But in that moment, the only thing louder than results was a rumor.
The Strategy: Build credibility off the field. Relationships with admin, parents, and staff matter.
The Power Play: Your job is to develop players. Your brand is what gets you the next job. Protect both.
On the Field – Athletes
The Problem: You’re winning. You’re visible. And now every move is under scrutiny. One post, one gesture, one moment—and they call it “character issues.”
Case Study – Ja Morant: Two-time All-Star. Franchise player. But his brand discipline didn’t match his talent. Now he’s watched differently. Branded differently.
The Strategy: Build your team. Hire someone who can say “no” for you. Define your image early.
The Power Play: Your followers won’t protect your future. Your discipline will.
For Those Who Move Different
Reputation isn’t about being liked, it’s about being trusted. But for us? Trust is fragile. Passion becomes “aggression.” Silence becomes “disengaged.” Critique becomes “difficult.”
Here’s the play:
Build your name with receipts. Guard it with strategy. Defend it with documentation, not emotion.
They won’t always attack you directly. They’ll just chip at your name until no one says it in the rooms that matter.
Call to Reflection
• What rumor or misperception cost you momentum?
• Where have you let performance outpace protection?
• Who speaks your name when you’re not in the room—and how?
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