Taking Credit for Your Work Without Apology

 

In a recent coaching conversation, we delved into the topic of taking credit for one’s work. My coachee—a talented professional—was struggling with this. He often downplayed his contributions or framed his achievements as “something the team did together.” While collaboration is important, I could see that his hesitation to own his impact was holding him back.

I asked him, “What are you hesitant about when it comes to taking credit for what you’ve accomplished? What are you afraid of?” After some reflection, he admitted that he didn’t want to come across as arrogant or overshadow his team. But we both knew that by avoiding acknowledgment, he was diluting his voice and value. Do not dilute your message by saying we just to show you are a team player.

By the end of the session, he committed to one action: the next time he presented results, he would confidently own his role in driving them.

In our follow-up session, his feedback was striking. This small change became a game changer. He had presented his project results to senior leadership and, for the first time, clearly stated the effort and strategy he had personally contributed. He was nervous, but the response surprised him—people recognized and respected his leadership even more.

It’s a reminder I’ve carried in my own journey that taking credit isn’t selfish; it’s about honoring your hard work. If you don’t recognize your value, how can others?