Leadership 101: It's not about you.
Having a boss who constantly needs affirmation is exhausting. Having a boss who hogs the spotlight is embarrassing. Having a boss who takes credit for the accomplishments of others is infuriating. Don’t be that boss.
I realize the title of this inaugural article might come across as a bit… I don't know... vinegary? But I hope that by its end, the vibe you get will be more encouraging than that – so please read on.
I'm convinced that one of the most fundamental lessons a leader can learn – one that should be learned as early as possible, ideally prior to taking on one’s first leadership position – is that a big part of a leader's job is to redirect the limelight away from him- or herself and towards the people s/he leads.
This is difficult, I admit. Let’s just acknowledge something right up front: the people most likely advance through the leadership ranks may not always be those who naturally shy away from the spotlight, and who hate being the center of attention. But even if you don’t feel a constant craving for attention and affirmation, there's a good chance that you still don't really mind those things – and I think it’s safe to say that giving credit to others and shifting positive attention to other members of one’s team may not come completely naturally to anyone.