The Two Leadership Behaviours People Never Forget
The Leaders We Remember Don’t Take the Credit—They Create the Opportunity
When people reflect on the leaders who shaped their careers, they rarely talk about titles, authority, or impressive resumes. They remember how those leaders made them feel, the opportunities they were given, and the relationship that was built.
Interestingly, they also remember bad leadership behaviours.
Two leadership behaviours I want to share with you that are perceived as toxic are taking credit for someone else’s work and withholding opportunities that help people grow.
A leader who takes the credit may gain a moment of recognition, but they lose something far more valuable—trust. People quickly learn whether their contributions will be celebrated or quietly claimed by someone else. For example, an employee comes up with a great idea and shares it with their manager or team. Someone points out the flaws, puts their own twist on it, and takes credit for the work as if the idea were all theirs.
The bombshell is that once trust begins to erode, so do engagement, creativity, and the willingness to go above and beyond for management and co-workers.
Equally damaging is withholding opportunities. Sometimes it’s intentional, driven by insecurity or the desire to maintain control. Other times, it’s simply a failure to notice someone’s potential. I have heard examples like someone not getting promoted, not because they weren’t qualified, but because they weren’t in the “inner club.”
The truth is, when leaders don’t create space for others to stretch, contribute, and succeed, they limit both the individual and the organization.
The leaders we remember do the opposite.
They shine the spotlight on their people. They openly recognize contributions. They recommend others for challenging projects, promotions, and leadership opportunities. They understand that another person’s success doesn’t diminish their own—it strengthens the entire team. They can see the big picture, and it excites them.
Leadership isn’t measured by how indispensable you become. It’s measured by how many capable, confident people succeed because of your leadership.
As you reflect on your own leadership, ask yourself:
Who received credit because I intentionally shared it?
Whose growth have I actively championed?
Am I creating opportunities—or protecting my position?
The leaders we remember don’t build monuments to themselves. They build people.
And that’s a legacy worth leaving.
Photo Credit: Malachi Cowie on Unsplash