March 5, 2024
by Stephen T. Messenger
The last six weeks we’ve been talking about equipping ourselves with the armor of leadership to be the best version of leaders we can be.
As we discussed with the acronym BRAG+1, our boots are designed to walk the ground where we lead and allow us to be present with our teams. Donning the regimentals—a traditional name for a uniform—promptly demonstrates that our organization is more prominent than our name tape, reminding us to place others above ourselves. Third, our armor is designed to keep us resilient to life’s attacks and the unpredictability that comes with them. Carrying the gun, or rifle, next helps us to close with and destroy the enemy to make things happen. Finally, the belt around our waist keeps us from having a hint, sniff, or whiff of impropriety.
Together, this spells BRAG+1 and is the constant mantra for us as servant leaders to brag about our team more than our own personal accomplishments.
Everyone Knows You’re in Charge – So What?
The boss, rightly so, takes the blame when things go wrong and gets the credit when things go right. But it’s vital to push the accolades down to those who do the hard work—to brag about the people who work for them.
The best ones do this well. The not so good ones struggle to pass credit downhill. I’ve seen this many times when parents, bosses, or leaders want to take the credit for their team effort. Make no mistake, they had a huge role in what was going on, but often steered accolades towards themselves. Two examples:
– The Parental Glory. After many soccer games and always in front of his son, one parent loved to tell me how he taught his child everything he knew about goal scoring. The kid was great on the field, and we all knew his dad was the driver of the son’s success, but the dad’s praise was directed at himself and not his son.
– The Workplace Spotlight. I was recognizing some exceptional work by a group of junior employees in front of their first line supervisor. After highlighting their achievements, the supervisor, who already received accolades for the same act in a previous setting, mentioned in front of the group the large role he personally played in the project. He just couldn’t help himself.
In both cases, there was never a doubt that the person with more skills, knowledge, judgement, experience, and position played a pivotal role. Everyone knew that the parent or supervisor was instrumental in moving the ball forward—it’s their job. But some people want to brag on themselves more than their team.
The Prepared Post-Game Interview Script
Consider the opposite of that self-directed praise, the post-game interviews in professional sports. After an amazing performance by the player of the game, they almost without fail highlight the successes of those around them. It’s uncanny how they direct the praise onto their teams while deflecting the questions off their own athleticism.
None of this is by accident. They have top-tier PR experts training them to respond to these questions. The general script goes something like this: compliment the other team, thank their own teammates and coaches, admit there’s room for improvement after a win, and smile.
This is a great template for receiving credit for any success. Instead of bringing the spotlight back upon us, it’s incumbent on our leadership position to place it back on our people. PR experts preach this method for a reason. Speak like you’re in a post-game interview and brag about others.
1. Acknowledge the Hardship. If you’re giving recognition, it’s probably because you just did something hard. Talk about the challenge that was overcome and the adversity you just faced. Nothing is easy on the field, and that’s why you’re highlighting the win!
2. Thank Those Who Did This. Highlight your team. There’s nothing better than to brag about others in public settings. As a bonus, every time you see people with their families, it’s THE golden opportunity to talk about their accomplishments and contributions to the team. It’s never about you.
3. Admit There’s Room for Improvement. One saying I picked up from a pastor many years back was, “You’ve done great! You can do even better!” The key is to state this with sincerity on the first sentence and a challenge on the second.
4. Smile. When you BRAG about your team, it always comes with gratitude and a smile.
It might sound something like this with a big grin: “Thanks for that compliment, and I humble acknowledge those comments. That task was huge and a lot to handle in a short amount of time. I really have to credit my team, specifically (name) for (activity). Without them this project wouldn’t have gotten off the ground—they make me proud everyday to work for them. There’s a lot left to do and we’re excited to tackle the next phase!”
I saw this in action just recently. I walked into my college alma mater ROTC Battalion and met the training and support staff at the #1 program of its kind in the Southeast. As I was speaking with the Administration Assistant in front of her boss, I asked her if she liked working here.
With a big, genuine smile, she told me how she understood the gravity of what they were all doing, sung the praises of her boss in front of a stranger (me), and talked about the future challenges they were excited to face. She read through the whole post-game interview script without missing a beat.
What it showed me was the great team they had and the excitement of doing even more. Her default response in a positive culture setting was to brag about her team.
BRAG+1 about Your Team
When in charge, you are responsible for everything your team does or fails to do. It’s your job to take the blame when things go wrong and pass the credit when things go right.
The best thing you can do is brag about your team. You do this in private and public. In front of your people and behind their back. At the beginning and end of every meeting. To your kid’s teachers and coaches. Especially to and about your spouse.
It is our job to brag on others constantly. As we equip ourselves with the full armor of leadership, it is our calling to humble serve the people that work for us and highlight the immense efforts of the hard-working individuals down in the trenches every day.
Brag on others every chance you get!
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Photo courtesy of Army Times. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/09/this-new-approach-to-powering-the-soldier-could-transform-capabilities/. (Pfc. James Crowley/Army)
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