Randy H NelsonRandy H NelsonRandy H NelsonRandy H Nelson
  • Home
  • Meet Randy
    • Coaching
    • Speaking
  • Books
  • Decision Center
  • Quiz
  • Media
  • BLOG
    • Build Articles
    • Blend Articles
    • Maximize Articles
  • Contact
✕

Blame and Credit Leadership: How Are You Leading?

Published by Randy H. Nelson
credit or blame leadership

The Truth and the Trends

 

There have been many impactful leadership blogs and articles written over the past four (4) months. They’ve been written by leaders who’ve unselfishly given of their time and expertise to help others navigate their own choppy waters, as we all have been dealing with the unprecedented challenges brought on by the Covid-19 crisis.

To each of you article and blog writers, thank you. Thank you because you are making an impact. Your guidance matters; maybe not to everyone, but to some. And those you positively impact, know you’re making a difference – one person and organization at a time.

When this crisis began, I read as many of these articles as I could find and listened to webinars from well-respected leaders, as the days and weeks progressed, and the crisis endured. I did my best to pass on my own expertise to as many who wanted to hear or read it. I wanted, as did so many of you, to be a resource to others; especially, since many of us have (fortunately or unfortunately) had experience dealing with previous crises.

But why do this?

To get credit?

In a word…NO.

President Harry S. Truman once said: “It is amazing what you can do when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

One of the most respected leaders from the sports world was John Wooden. He was head coach of the UCLA Bruins in NCAA basketball, and his teams won 10 championships in 12 seasons. More than the winning, his legacy grew as leaders everywhere were inspired to learn from his proven leadership principles. So, what would he say to the leaders of today, as it pertains to the challenges they face? Here is what I think he would say, using a quote attributed to him (Mr. Wooden died in 2010).

“A strong leader accepts the blame and gives the credit.”

More than ever, we need leaders to step up and become more effective leaders during the Covid-19 crisis. Tough decisions need to be made and productive solutions found. Some painful mistakes will be made as these decisions are rolled out, but that is also part of being a leader, making and learning from mistakes. More than ever, we need leaders who do not care about the credit, but who passionately care about the progress. More than ever, we need leaders who are willing to accept the blame when things go wrong, rather than placing blame on others…that is not leadership…it’s finger-pointing. It’s schoolyard tactics.

We have many challenges awaiting us today, this week, this month and in the coming months.  We look to the future, not with complete certainty, but with optimism and hope, along with a strategy that provides clarity to those who follow us.

I am confident we will make great decisions that impact organizations and people positively. And when that happens, do what great leaders do, give credit where credit is due.

I also know we will make mistakes, and when we do…take the blame. Accept that is part of the job description of being a leader.

Every day, I would challenge us all to be the leaders we are capable of, and the type of leaders our people respect. We need that today, more than ever, leaders who will inspire others to also rise and get us through these challenging times.

The Decision Series for Entrepreneurs

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Randy H. Nelson
Randy H. Nelson
Author and Serial Entrepreneur at The Decision Center
• has a long history of entrepreneurial leadership, stemming from his educational, military and business backgrounds. He has founded and built three successful businesses over the past 30+ years. He has written three best-selling books on entrepreneurship and leadership, and now seeks to help entrepreneurs and CEO’s everywhere through his coaching and growth advisory practice at The Decision Center in Garner, NC.
Randy H. Nelson
Latest posts by Randy H. Nelson (see all)
  • What is The Second Decision™? Becoming a Qualified Entrepreneur! - August 8, 2023
  • Was Your Day Busy or Productive? - June 6, 2022
  • Are Your Differentiators Defendable? - May 10, 2022

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram

Related

Share
1
Randy H. Nelson
Randy H. Nelson
• has a long history of entrepreneurial leadership, stemming from his educational, military and business backgrounds. He has founded and built three successful businesses over the past 30+ years. He has written three best-selling books on entrepreneurship and leadership, and now seeks to help entrepreneurs and CEO’s everywhere through his coaching and growth advisory practice at The Decision Center in Garner, NC.

Related posts

decision making
August 8, 2023

What is The Second Decision™? Becoming a Qualified Entrepreneur!


Read more
business man being productive

Businessman looking at laptop and thinking. Businessman reading emails on laptop in office lobby.

June 6, 2022

Was Your Day Busy or Productive?


Read more
Business Differentiators
May 10, 2022

Are Your Differentiators Defendable?


Read more

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Search Our Site

✕
Certified Virtual Presenter

Get Randy’s Newsletter

 


Follow Randy

RSS
Follow by Email
Facebook
Twitter
Follow Me
LinkedIn

Randy’s Latest Articles

  • decision making
    What is The Second Decision™? Becoming a Qualified Entrepreneur!
    August 8, 2023
  • business man being productive0
    Was Your Day Busy or Productive?
    June 6, 2022


Have A Question?






    Name (required)

    Email (required)

    Message

    Tweets by @randyhnelson

    Subscribe

    Contact Randy


    (919) 333-7530
    info@randyhnelson.com

    Latest Article

    • decision making
      What is The Second Decision™? Becoming a Qualified Entrepreneur!
      August 8, 2023

    Randy H Nelson and The Decision Center | © 2013-2023 | All Rights Reserved
    Website designed by Success by Design

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT