“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” Harry S. Truman
What a great quote from a man who never aspired to be president – he was an unlikely choice as Roosevelt’s VP for his fourth term, and served only a few months (Jan-May 1945) before becoming president. He was a man of principle, not really caring about public opinion, but rather always trying to do what was right. After leaving office in 1952 he drove himself to the train station in Washington for his trip back to Missouri.
Take a look at yourself and see where you measure on the scale of selfless behavior. When there are things to do, are you only looking beyond to see if it will improve your future or intent on doing the best you can at the time? When assigned to a group assignment, do you try to elbow your way to the point of highest visibility or jump into the exercise and do whatever needs to be done wherever it may be? When volunteers are needed do you jump for attention or let your demeanor and past actions speak for themselves? Today, more than ever, we’re called upon to do more with less, to care more than before, to work harder – all to try to help wherever we are get through these times successfully. The best among us brings credit to the team, knowing that that is the best reward. Earn (not take) credit for that and you’ll be more successful than you ever imagined.