Stop giving your team ALL the credit

I know that you don’t want to come off as arrogant or like you’re boasting.

I know that you don’t want to be ‘that’ manager who takes credit for their team’s hard work.

But if you want to progress in your career, people need to know the value you bring.

I used to work with Senior Managers who were up for promotion to Director. I’d help them put their business case together which was always filled with what their team had done.

It’s lovely really, to work with people who genuinely appreciate their team and want them to get credit from the higher ups.

BUT…

When you’re going for a promotion, or a new job, the interviewers want to know about you.

So I would ask those senior managers, ‘What would’ve happened if you weren’t there? Would the job have been done the same?’

Yes, your team are doing the work and producing great quality output.

• What did you do to enable the team to do that?
• How did you motivate the team?
• How did you build the team so they could act without you?
• What did you do to manage conflict in the team?

What is the team culture you’ve encouraged?
You need to let people the know the part you played in your team’s success.

That’s not being arrogant or boasting, it’s being balanced.

I bet if I went and asked your team what value you bring the list would be huge.

So yes, promote your team’s achievements, make sure they are getting recognised by senior management AND make sure you take some of the credit.