This week, as a history enthusiast, I’m honored to share the timeless wisdom of a leader who faced monumental challenges with unparalleled humility: former U.S. President Harry S. Truman.
His famous quote, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit,” is not just a platitude; it was a guiding principle for a man who inherited the presidency at a pivotal moment in history. Truman’s leadership saw the conclusion of WWII, the desegregation of the U.S. armed forces, and the launch of the Marshall Plan—a massive, collaborative effort to rebuild war-torn Europe. These were achievements born from prioritizing the greater good of a nation and a world in crisis over personal glory.
In today’s ever-changing business and technology landscape, this quote resonates more deeply than ever. True leadership isn’t about basking in the spotlight; it’s about empowering your team to achieve shared goals and driving collective success. 🌟
Leadership in Action: Beyond the Credit
How does this philosophy play out in leadership?
- Fostering True Collaboration: Leaders who embody this quote actively seek input from all team members, encouraging a sense of ownership and shared responsibility. They understand that diverse perspectives lead to innovative solutions. Think about the global effort to develop vaccines during the recent pandemic 🌍—a monumental task where countless scientists, researchers, and organizations collaborated tirelessly, often putting the collective mission above individual recognition. The speed and scale of that achievement were truly amazing because the focus was on the outcome, not who got the credit for each discovery.
- Building Trust & Psychological Safety: When leaders consistently pass credit to their team, they build immense trust. This creates a psychologically safe environment where individuals feel secure enough to take risks, voice concerns, and even make mistakes without fear of blame. This trust is the foundation for high-performing teams.
- Developing Future Leaders: A leader’s job is to create more leaders. By sharing the spotlight and giving team members opportunities to lead and be recognized, you’re not only developing their skills but also instilling in them the importance of this selfless leadership style.
- Navigating Ambiguity: In a world of constant change, many projects lack a clear roadmap. A team that doesn’t care who gets the credit can more effectively navigate ambiguity. They’re more adaptable and willing to pivot, knowing that the ultimate goal is positive impact, not personal glory.
A Personal Anecdote ✨
Over my career, I have rolled out many enterprise solutions. Specifically, one that comes to mind was an enterprise, world-wide solution that involved replacing our entire legacy financial system. The project was incredibly complex—integrating with dozens of regional systems, managing data migration for hundreds of entities, and navigating different legal and financial regulations across the globe. There were countless setbacks, and at one point, it felt like everyone was looking to assign blame.
Our project lead, however, was a master of Truman’s philosophy. When a technical breakthrough finally solved a long-standing data migration issue, he would thank the engineers responsible, then immediately follow up with, “This is a win for all of us. Their work just unlocked the next critical step for the entire team.” He never took the spotlight, even when he deserved it. When we finally went live on a Friday night as to not disrupt weekly business operations, the entire team stayed late to celebrate the accomplishment (and of course to make sure it went smooth). We weren’t celebrating his success; we were celebrating ours. The sense of collective accomplishment was far more rewarding than any individual accolade could have been. It cemented for me the power of a leader who truly believes in the team.
Recommended Reading 📚
For a book that beautifully captures the essence of this quote, I highly recommend “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. While it comes from a military context, its core principles of leaders taking full responsibility for their teams’ successes and failures, and empowering them to achieve the mission, perfectly align with the idea of focusing on the outcome rather than personal credit. It emphasizes that a leader’s job is to ensure the mission is accomplished, regardless of who receives the accolades. 🎖️