With success, the competition for “who” gets credit increases. The incentives to claim the upside and deny the downside are high for everyone. Past success or current rank or standing do not change the reality you and I along with our colleagues face. Each is looking to claim credit for the outcome which supports an optimistic view of our past and future. Credit for the good, denial for the bad is central to how we see ourselves and register claims for recognition and reward.
As I watch the scramble underway with the latest outcome, I find myself looking at the foundations we think we are standing on.
There is a natural bias towards believing that each uniquely contributed to the outcome. I am special because of what I did. Everything that follows pivots on I. There is a minority that talk of principles, values, and process. In the minority, they talk about what they have embraced as a reason for success. For this group, old words become an embraced mantra of whatever they recognize as divinity; “All we are and have we owe to God, Holy God of Israel, our King!” (Psalm 89.18)
There is a view that only one can stand at the top. Words refer to rungs on a ladder, top of the heap, and kind of the castle. I must win, otherwise I lose. There is a minority that look at life through a different lens. For this group, life is defined by we. Teamwork, collaboration, and community are words that start within their hearts and souls and find life in actions and relationships.
The interest view after the fact is how and why the credit is used. The two ends of the spectrum start with self or community. In the end I find myself facing a question of where do I look? Am I the answer or are we?
As I answer the I vs. we question, it repeats. I look forward to the day when my actions are consistent with my aspirations. Until then, I will keep reaching for my dreams.
