The Colonel said, “You can’t take credit for the good, kid, if you’re not willing to accept responsibility for the bad. Essential eight in The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership takes that Colonel of Wisdom one step further. It is celebrate the results of others.
It’s relatively normal and natural that credit and accolades for a team’s accomplishment are given to the leader. But when the leader accepts that credit as their own, it communicates to each team member that their efforts were not noticed or that their efforts were insignificant. Significant leaders don’t seek to receive credit. Instead, they seek to give credit.
Legendary college football coach, Bear Bryant, is quoted as saying, “If we win big, the boys did a great job. If we squeak by with a win, I’ve got some work to do. If we lose, it’s all on me.” He was unwilling to take credit for the hard work his team had put in to win games. That credit was theirs. Furthermore, he knew it was his job to take responsibility to take responsibility for those moments when the team did not perform up to expectations.
Celebrating the results and the success of others communicates to them that they have been seen and appreciated. They know that their efforts have made a difference, and therefore, they’re more likely to continue with those efforts. It empowers them to strive harder and reach farther. Furthermore, highlighting the achievements of others creates for them a mental resume to build upon so they can more easily see themselves in a leadership position.
Essential number eight in The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership: celebrate the results of others.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.