"The more credit you give away, the more will come back."

Giving credit to others is a powerful way of fostering goodwill and building strong relationships. At its heart, this idea is all about acknowledging the contributions and efforts of those around you. When you appreciate and highlight others' good work, they'll be more likely to do the same for you. It’s like planting seeds of kindness—those seeds will eventually grow and come back to benefit you.

Historically, this principle has been seen in various contexts, from ancient leaders to modern-day business managers. Think about it: leaders who celebrated their teams rather than taking all the glory often inspired loyalty and hard work. For instance, during World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was known for crediting his troops for their victories. His humble approach didn’t diminish his authority; on the contrary, it bolstered the morale and unity of his forces, leading them to tremendous success.

Let's dive into a real-life example. Imagine you're working on a big project at your job, and it’s a massive team effort. There’s Sarah who came up with the initial idea, John who worked late nights perfecting the designs, and Emma who handled all the client communications with finesse. When the project finally succeeds, you—being the project manager—could easily claim the spotlight. But instead, you highlight Sarah’s creativity, John’s dedication, and Emma’s communication skills in the team meeting. What happens next? The team feels valued and recognized. They’re pumped up and more committed than ever to future projects, knowing their hard work won’t go unnoticed.

So, how can you apply this in your own life? Start small. Next time you’re in a meeting and someone contributes a great idea, call it out. Say, “That’s a fantastic point, Janet!” Or when you’re wrapping up a successful task, take a moment to send a quick note or give a shout-out to those who helped along the way. It doesn't have to be grand or public; even private acknowledgments can mean a lot. By consistently doing this, you build a culture of appreciation and respect.

Now, picture this scenario: You’re part of a community volunteer group organizing a local event. You’ve got a team of ten people, all working tirelessly. You notice that Mark, one of the volunteers, is really good at coordinating logistics. Instead of just letting it slide by, you mention in the next meeting how Mark’s efforts have been crucial. Mark feels seen and valued. He’s more likely to step up even more next time, and others in the group see the positive reinforcement and are motivated to contribute fully too.

When we give credit where it’s due, it’s not just a nice thing to do—it actually strengthens our connections and creates a positive feedback loop. People want to work with those who recognize their efforts. So, next time you see someone doing a great job, think about how you can acknowledge them. It’ll come back to you in ways you might not even expect.