Nothing loses a leaders credibility quicker than the statement,
I did…, I achieved…, I made…, and so on.
As leaders we lead teams, we do very little of the actual work ourselves, it’s our teams that do the heavy lifting, it’s our teams that do the hard work that deliver the results, or goes the extra mile in order to ensure that targets are achieved.
But with the use of the word I, we undermine their contribution, we restrict the sharing of the credit, we imply that we were the key reason for the success.
Leaders who use the statements, We did…, We achieved…, We made…, and so on are showing their teams respect, they are sharing credit. They are increasing their credibility, the trust that the team has in them, and is ensuring that the next time that the going gets tough, that the team will be there to help them achieve success again.
Leaders who hoard the credit for themselves will find themselves potentially standing alone the next time things start to go wrong.
We is such a small word but it can have significant benefits.
Very Well Said.. hope if everyone follow this will be great..
Totally agree Gordon. “We” is a small word but speaks volumes about the person and especially the leader. All the best leaders want to share credit with the team, make individuals the best they can be and make them feel a big part of the whole process, which they are. It builds so much trust between the leader and the follower and this will be returned in kind. Success is a group endeavor and can never be done alone.
Paul, i actually believe the great leaders would allocate 100% of the credit to their teams. Everyone knows in reality that some if this is shared with the leader, it happened on his watch, but if he gives 100% then he will generate excellent trust and loyalty with is teams. I actually worked for a boss like that, deep down we knew his contribution, but it was always nice he gave us 100% of the credit.
Thanks for the comment, keep them coming.
In the excellent article from Jim Collins on the HBR, he referred to the pattern of “The window and the mirror” to find true Leaders. Colleagues that look “at the window” to apportion credit to the team when success is reached. And “in the mirror” to assign themselves the responsibility when things went poorly. How many executives paradoxically do the contrary and would never be called Leaders…
Pedro, excellent comment, fully agree with you. Thanks for hearing.
My thought exactly Pedro as I read Gordon’s post. Another good guideline around blame comes from the bible… Take the plank out of your eye before pointing out the speck in your brother’s. Thanks Gordon.
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