Giving credit to colleagues makes you look successful

Giving credit to colleagues makes you look successfulGiving credit to colleagues makes you look successfulWe all want our work to be recognized. Its how we measure our success.But how do you get your colleagues to acknowledge your hard work and toil? Heres one good tip by modeling good credit behavior.In other words If you want people to toot your horn, you need to toot theirs. That way you create a workplace culture where hard work is always acknowledged.Sachin H. Jain, the CEO of the CareMore Health System, said that he learned this from one of his bosses. I took a few moments to send e-mails to thank individuals who hadhelped makea project of mine successfulandcopiedmy boss. My boss,inturn, scheduled time with me to thank me for taking the time to recognize others, he wrote in Harvard Business Review.By recognizing the work of others, Jain got his work recognized too. Bosses like Jains know that being a team player is a valued trait that should get praise. Good credit behavior als o means doing this in private settings where your boss doesnt see you. Besides spreading good karma, it shows your colleagues that they work in a place where their ideas matter. That increases team trust and will increase employee morale and retention in the long-run.No one likes working in a job where compliments seem to be conditional on your status, not your accomplishments. Take time to acknowledge your quiet employees work. It will make a difference.The New York Times offers similar advice to people who want to share credit Create a paper trail. Send out e-mail messages with pertinent sales figures. Circulate memos that recap your teams stellar performance. Forward select customer accolades to your boss.Bottom line people wont know you and your team did hard work unless you tell them. By forwarding your appreciation of others, you help create a positive feedback loop where your good deeds get acknowledged and theirs do too.