Managing Credit and Humility
Overview
Navigate the complex dynamics of receiving credit for achievements, especially when actions involved breaking rules or betraying trust.
Steps
- Recognize when pride in achievement may damage important relationships
- Accept counsel from trusted advisors about appropriate demeanor
- Distinguish between debts owed to you (remember) and debts you are owed (forget)
- Acknowledge the complicated nature of your actions when they served one party but harmed another
- Publicly express remorse for any harm caused, even while achieving good
- Deflect honors and rewards through ritual humility
- Frame your actions as duty rather than favor
Key Principles
- What others did for you: never forget
- What you did for others: let go completely
- Acknowledge that serving one interest may mean betraying another