If you want to set a team on fire, start by giving credit away faster than you claim it

If you've ever seen the loudest voices get all the recognition, you know how easy it is for real effort to go unnoticed. Maybe you're the one who quietly keeps things running or solves the problems no one else sees, yet your work stays in the background. When teams only reward those who shout the loudest, they miss out on ideas, trust, and the full potential of their people. The result is a culture where too many feel invisible and where collaboration stalls. The highest-performing teams break this pattern by making a habit of sharing credit, not just up the chain, but across and down.

You might not be able to change everything overnight, but you can start a ripple effect. When you call out a colleague's contribution by naming something specific, not just tossing a generic "good job," you send a signal that effort is seen and valued. At first, it might feel small, especially if your culture is skeptical or recognition is rare. But these moments build trust. Over time, others notice. People begin to step up, share ideas, and support each other. The energy shifts, and what started as a simple act of recognition can quietly transform the way your team works together.

What would change if even one person on your team made it a habit to share credit, especially for work that usually goes unseen?

If this resonates, share with your network. Sometimes the smallest move is what breaks through the noise.