Leaders taking credit for the work of others
"Don't forget, I need to be taking credit for that report by three." Bosses Be Like Meme
In the Army, every 12 months, or when a direct report would change, officers would receive an Officer Evaluation Report or OER. To support the writing of this OER, the Army created the OER Support form. This form was supposed to be a living document between rater and rated where accomplishments could be listed to inform the final creation of the OER. I hated the Support Form. Creating it felt like an act of selfishness. I felt like I was taking credit for the achievements of my people - work I had not done myself.
When can a leader take credit? Often in leadership the tactical actions of our people are the tangible, measurable activities which lead to overall success. Sometimes leaders are the ones who do the work but mostly the work, and related credit, belongs to the individual. I've attempted to wrestle this topic down to the ground. Here is where I landed.
The brigade I commanded in the Army was #1 among 34 other brigades for human resource performance. We frequently led our division (6 brigades) in the retention of our soldiers. I tout this accomplishment often in my leadership practice but the work to achieve this was indeed, the work of individuals. My sergeant major, the senior ranking enlisted soldier in the organization led the charge, pushing leaders and administrators in this endeavor. My adjutant or HR director and her talented team did the daily heavy lifting. Here is where I came in.
I created the enduring focus - Investing in People, as the organization's top priority to guide all of our efforts. I kept my adjutant close and empowered her to be my ambassador for this focus. I set the tone, coached and developed my people. I brought strategic direction, good order, and discipline to my brigade. I challenged, yet supported my people and recognized them for their work. I loved them. This environment fostered individual action which in turn, led to success and for that I can take credit.
I still feel a sense of selfishness when touting this accomplishment as my own. I overcome this by stating, "my team and I..." or "I lead an organization (or an individual) which accomplished..." Tactical action should not be the role of leaders. It is not what our position requires. And credit does belong to the individual. I still lead my team under this philosophy - when the team (or individuals) fail, it is my fault, when we succeed the credit belongs to them. My job is to lay the rich soil upon which the garden can grow. Guided by this mantra, I'm comfortable receiving the trophy on their behalf.
What credit belongs to you?
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell