Carl's Corner
by Carl Pritchard, PMP, PMI-RMP, EVP (July 1,  2011)

Getting and Giving Credit Where It's Due    
Some lessons from the Presidents and forefathers...

There was a plaque on Ronald Reagan's desk that read: "There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit."  It's a quote worth remembering, as it's alarmingly true, particularly in the project environment.  I recently read through some client e-mail traffic that exemplified the antithesis of this thought.  It was an e-mail flame war between two parties, each arguing that they weren't going to supply their contributions unless or until they were acknowledged as one of the architects of the project approach. It was compelling reading.  It was eerily infantile.  Here were two "grown" adults quibbling over how much recognition they would get for the deliverable (which was being put in jeopardy by their unwillingness to share or give credit).

We get amazing opportunities in projects, but those opportunities can only bear fruit if we're willing to cede the fact that project management is not the road to glory, but the road to deliverables or outputs.  John Adams lived with a fear of obscurity--afraid that history would not recognize his diplomatic accomplishments.  Dwight Eisenhower, a president whose era is often seen as unremarkable, left behind the legacy that is the Interstate Highway system--a legacy we use virtually every day.  Beyond the presidents, if we look to the signers of the Declaration of Independence, we don't see a lot of recognizable names.  William Floyd, Francis Lewis, John Hart, George Clymer and William Ellery are not names that most Americans acknowledge.  Yet these were men willing to "pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."  They didn't get fame or glory.  Those mentioned here saw their homes and livelihoods destroyed. They weren't worried about credit.  They were concerned about outcomes.

The flip side of this coin is that while we can ill afford to chase glory, laud and honor for our efforts, we do need to be liberal with doling it out.  In last month's column, I commented on the need to provide those around us with a souvenir...a remembrance.  I would suggest to you that the old adage of "what goes around comes around" plays out big time in our project environment.  If we can find the time and energy to give others the credit for their efforts, we will find them turning around and pouring some of it back on us.

Just recently, I received an e-mail from a PMP Prep student who gave me credit for his exam success.  While I was pleased to play a role, I quickly shot back an e-mail suggesting that his success was borne out of HIS efforts, energies and focus.  All the teaching in the world wouldn't replace those elements if they're missing.  It struck me that when I teach a class, I don't mind sharing stories from when I've worked with LeRoy Ward, Rita Mulcahy and others in the PMP community.  I don't mind if LeRoy or Rita get credit for a student passing the exam.  I just want the student to pass!  That approach has served me well for almost two decades.  Why?  I get credit from some of my students anyhow.  And they have an amazing track record.  They succeed.  They excel.  And that's the outcome I hope for.  If I were worried about somehow accidentally giving credit to someone else, I would lose focus on the goal.  

The incredible thing is that if, as we build successes, we acknowledge those who helped us achieve them, we open the door for them to come to our aid again.  We build alliances and open the door for others to eagerly align themselves with us.

Carl Pritchard appreciates and welcomes your comments and insight at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Join him for Risk Management Excellence at sea on August 20-25.  More information at www.carlpritchard.com/NEW/index.html