Find audience, image, FAQ, and usage of quote-It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.
This single shift in mindset can completely transform your team’s output and your own sense of fulfillment. It’s the secret sauce for genuine, collaborative success.
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Meaning
This quote is about prioritizing the outcome over your own ego. It’s the ultimate hack for unlocking collective potential.
Explanation
When you’re personally invested in getting the credit, you start making decisions that are good for your spotlight, not necessarily good for the project. You might hoard information. You might dismiss others’ ideas. You create friction.
But when you let that go? The entire dynamic changes. You become a magnet for collaboration. People bring their best ideas to the table because they know you’ll champion the idea itself, not just your own contribution. You start asking, “What’s the best way to solve this?” instead of “What’s the best way for me to look good solving this?” And that, my friend, is where the real magic happens. The work gets better. Period.
Summary
| Category | Skill (64) |
|---|---|
| Topics | humility (8), service (10), teamwork (7) |
| Style | memorable (37), philosophical (36) |
| Mood | humble (6), inspiring (32) |
Origin & Factcheck
| Author | Dale Carnegie (132) |
|---|---|
| Book | The Leader In You (58) |
About the Author
Dale Carnegie, an American writer received worldwide recognition for his influential books on relationship, leadership, and public speaking. Among his timeless classics, the Dale Carnegie book list includes How to Win Friends and Influence People is the most influential which inspires millions even today.
Official Website
Quotation Source:
| It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit |
| Publication Year/Date: 1993 (first edition) ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781501181962 (Gallery Books 2017 reprint); also 9780671798093 (early Pocket Books hardcover) Last edition. Number of pages: Common reprints ~256 pages (varies by printing). |
| Chapter: Humility in Leadership, Approximate page from 1993 edition |
Context
In the book, this idea is presented as a cornerstone of modern, effective leadership. It’s framed not as a soft skill, but as a hard-nosed strategy for getting superior results. The context is all about moving away from the top-down, command-and-control leader to one who empowers and facilitates—a leader who creates an environment where the team’s success is the only credit that matters.
Usage Examples
So how do you actually use this? It’s a mindset you apply daily.
- For a Project Manager: In your next meeting, when a junior team member suggests a brilliant solution, your job is to champion it. Say, “Your idea here is fantastic and solves our bottleneck. Let’s run with that.” You just elevated the work and built immense trust.
- For a Founder or Executive: Talk about your team’s achievements in public. Use we relentlessly. When you shine the spotlight on your people, you don’t dim your own light, you become the sun that everything else grows from.
- For Anyone in a Team: The next time you complete a task that was a group effort, actively deflect praise. Try saying, “Thanks! I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from Mark and Jessica.” It costs you nothing and builds incredible social capital.
To whom it appeals?
| Audience | coaches (92), leaders (221), managers (114), students (332), teachers (149) |
|---|---|
This quote can be used in following contexts: leadership seminars,motivational speeches,team development,management workshops,organizational culture training
FAQ
Question: Doesn’t this mean people will walk all over me and take advantage?
Answer: It’s a common fear, but it’s the opposite. When you consistently credit others, you build a reputation as a secure, confident leader. People are more likely to want to work with you and give you their best, which actually increases your influence and value.
Question: How do I handle it if my boss always takes credit for my work?
Answer: That’s a tough spot. The strategy shifts slightly. You can’t control them, but you can control your narrative. Find subtle ways to document and communicate your contributions to a wider circle (like in project update emails). And sometimes, the best move is to become so invaluable that your contribution is undeniable to everyone.
Question: Is this just about being a nice person?
Answer: No, and this is crucial. This isn’t about being passive or a pushover. It’s a deliberate leadership strategy. It’s about understanding that the most efficient path to a massive, meaningful outcome is through a team that is empowered, trusted, and recognized. It’s the smartest thing you can do.