Why Results and Not Who Gets the Credit Matter
“There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”- Robert Woodruff
We live in a world of perpetual self-promotion that has, not so surprisingly, become a way of life for many. Just look at the Kardashian family if you need to feel inspired — or “keep up.” For some of us, self-promotion has become a part of our lives. In my case, it’s more the latter.
I self-promote in an effort to grow my audience and influence others in a positive manner. My message is one of hope, self-improvement and love. I make the effort to broadcast my “voice” over a plethora of digital and conventional channels in the hope that my efforts will bear fruit.
I want to touch people’s’ lives, help them to grow and continue to reach an even larger audience. Goals which are accomplished through smart messaging, relationship-building and savvy content marketing.
I’ve written previously, how a personal success cycle begins with an idea, which is then backed with faith, confidence and intelligent planning, all while applying persistence and hard work at each interval. When I think of self-promotion, in an effort to grow a personal brand or spread a message, I think of the need for persistence.
A few days, weeks or months of concentrated effort and focus simply will not cut it. It’s an, “all-the-time,” deal, one that ideally should grow into an obsession that permeates your thinking.There it will sit, at the top of your conscious mind, and in the recesses of your subconscious mind, even while you sleep.
Persistence in thought and action are imperative to pursuing your dream, communicating your idea and carrying on through the lean times. With persistence, we can all look self-doubt, fear and a simple lack of tangible results (not yet achieved)squarely in the proverbial eye.
“Why is this not happening?,” or “What is it about me that people don’t like?,” we’ll ask ourselves. But perhaps those are the wrong questions.
The right one should be: “How is what I’m doing truly helping others?” Another could be: “In the end, will I truly care if I receive all the credit or, will knowing I made a difference in someone’s life suffice?” I write this because I’ve increasingly felt a greater inspiration over the course of my life to operate with pure motives, genuine kindness and thoughtful, sincere care for helping to improve the lives of others.
Yes, I want to be a successful businessman and writer — an individual who people admire — make no mistake. But, for me, those things are truly secondary. And coming to terms with that understanding has opened up a whole new horizon of belief and opportunity.
Give Credit To Others
In essence, I don’t really care who gets the credit as long as others benefit from the work that I do. My aim is to have a positive impact, to help people out by arming them with the information they need to improve their life, career, way of thinking or a particular skill.
Self-promotion, sometimes at the expense of others, has done a lot to damage the fabric of our society. Like with most things, moderation is often key. I look around me, not just where I live, but in previous places I’ve lived and many places I’ve traveled, and instances of altruism and selfless love are rare these days.
It’s a sad commentary on who we’ve become and I’m afraid, where we’re going. But all of that can change, if we’re willing to change our perspective and view ourselves differently.
I saw the lead quote for today’s post at The Coca-Cola Company, where I worked earlier this year on a consulting engagement. These words have become a daily reminder for me. I find myself less mindful of taking credit, while simultaneously giving credit to those who help to drive change and strive for success in their work.
For the Benefit of Others
Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it. — Irving Berlin
When’s the last time that you noticed — in any of your competitive endeavors — a person do something nice for someone else and expect nothing in return? What attracts me most to competitive sports, is ultimately, the essence of teamwork; selfless, beautiful play for the benefit of the team.
My favorite position on the basketball court is point guard, because customarily, he/she is the one often running the show and passing off to others in order to be successful. The point guard is the on-the-court coach who makes the team better by putting others first.
Few things in life make the fire inside of me burn more than watching a completely unselfish play on the sporting field of competition. The only thing that excites me more is seeing the same thing happen in life — outside of a game environment — right in front of me. I’ve learned that it’s special to be both the giver and the beneficiary of such gifts. It’s best to have an open heart to each.
The self-promotional world led by social media giants like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram only reinforce the cultural perception that egocentricity is a desired and valued state of mind — a way to exist. Unfortunately, when we live in a digital world, one where we can create our own reality and continue perpetuating that myth, we fail to see what we can only discover from human interaction.
No one really respects someone who’s only in it for themselves.
Your Lasting Impact
On the playing field, in collaborative learning environments, in your personal relationships and in business, you will grow, prosper and gain the respect and admiration of others when you care passionately about the result, not so much who gets the credit. It may sound counter-intuitive, because surely, some will only pay attention or gravitate toward those who win the awards or hear their name mentioned in praise by their superiors.
But, in the end, those things fade away like footprints on the seashore. What lasts is the impact that you make. And trust me when I tell you, you’ll find that the respect you think you crave is really not as valuable as the silent, more powerful type of respect that comes from your peers and those who are watching.
They’ll know. As my former boss told me when I was sports director of my college radio station- “I’ll point out when you’re doing things wrong. But I won’t always point out when you’re doing well. You’ll know.”
So, I did not yet tell you who Robert Woodruff was. In case the above quote doesn’t yet resonate with you, bear in mind that he was one of the most successful and distinguished corporate presidents in American history.
The reason Coca-Cola is one of the most successful companies and recognized brands in the world today, is in large part, due to his brilliance. Woodruff didn’t need his employees or the media to acknowledge his hard work and demonstrated results. They knew. You will, too.
What makes you care? Want to improve?
If you enjoyed reading this, please be so kind as to share with others and recommend my piece. Also, please share your thoughts about how you care for others. Any recommendations for a new writing piece? Please provide that as well! I’m always open to new ideas.
My upcoming book, The Courage to Have Faith in the 21st Century is due out early next year. Contact me via my website here and and subscribe if you feel inclined!
More of my writing you may like:
Do it Anyway and Don’t Look Back
15 Books that Shaped My Mind and Changed My Outlook on Life
The Tale of Probability and Luck — Why We’re in Control of Our Destiny
