"للنجاح ألف أب لكن الهزيمة يتيمة"

When things go well, everyone wants to be a part of the success. But when things fall apart, no one wants to claim responsibility. This saying really hits home for anyone who's experienced both the highs and lows of any project or endeavor.

This phrase gained traction when John F. Kennedy used it in the aftermath of the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. The operation was a disaster, and as you’d expect, no one wanted to be associated with it. Kennedy himself acknowledged the failure, embodying the lonely orphan that comes with defeat.

Let’s bring this down to a more relatable level. Think about a group project in school. Everyone’s working hard, and when you get an A, suddenly everyone remembers how they stayed up late and contributed in massive ways. But if the project tanks and gets a D, you might hear things like, "Well, I didn't really work on that part," or "I wasn't in charge, so it's not really on me." Success draws the spotlight and people want to bask in it, but failure? That’s a different story.

Imagine you’re working on a big presentation at work. You’ve all put in the hours, the sweat, and the late-night coffee runs. When it’s presented to the board and you get resounding applause, everyone’s high-fiving and talking about how they helped shape that brilliant idea. However, let’s say it doesn’t go well. Maybe the board tears it apart. Suddenly, people might distance themselves. "I thought that was a bad idea from the start," or "I wasn't really involved in that section," become common phrases.

To apply this wisdom in your own life, start by sharing credit generously and openly when things go right. Make it a point to acknowledge everyone’s contributions. But more importantly, when things go south, don’t shy away from taking your share of the blame. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but owning up to mistakes shows integrity and helps build trust. It’s like that old saying, "The buck stops here." Be that person.

Now picture a small startup. It’s all hands on deck, and year one is a smashing success. Everyone wants to talk to the media about how their unique skills brought the startup to the top. But in year two, if things go poorly, you might see some of those same people updating their LinkedIn profiles, subtly shifting their roles to seem less involved. It’s human nature to want to be associated with success and distance from failure.

By recognizing this tendency, you can actively work against it. Be consistent in your support and accountability. Stand by your team in good times and bad. This approach not only earns you respect but also fosters a culture of trust and reliability. So next time you’re part of a winning team, share the limelight. And if you hit a rough patch, don’t be the first to jump ship. Instead, be the anchor.