It’s Not All About You!

Earlier I did a posting that spoke to responsibility and leadership.  In that post I shared that great leaders accept resp0nsibility for what works and what doesn’t — particularly what doesn’t.  There’s a way in which inspired leaders are willing to ask themselves how their actions, choices and decisions contributed to whatever the outcome is.  While excellent leaders are willing to accept responsibility for failures, they are also willing to share credit for successes.

Now let me be clear.  This does not mean that as a great leader you cannot take credit for your role within successes.  It does, however, mean that as a great leader — one who inspires, who effortlessly enrolls others in your vision — you have mastered the ability to own your part while acknowledging and sharing credit.  It’s about having those around you really feel their worth and value, so that they continue to put their best efforts forward.  When your team sees that you own your part in failures, and that you share credit for all successes, you automatically gain “buy-in” — those around you become invested in doing what needs to be done to make whatever project fly.  It’s a thing of beauty.

Bottom-line:  if you’re going to hold a leadership position, you’ve got to get over yourself.  You have to be willing to know how you contributed to whatever outcome, and you absolutely have to share the credit.  Sharing the credit ensures that others will continue to follow you.  And if you’re going to lead, you’re going to need followers.