Give credit away

If you are young in a career, one of the best positions to put yourself in is one where you can work on projects where none of the credits will come to you.

It's counterintuitive, especially in a world that thrives on recognition.

Help others build their work, without the need to put your name on it.

Work behind the scenes on some of the most important problems or platforms you have access to.

Do the hard work of putting the spotlight on others, even when it was your contribution that made things work.

Make it easier for others to succeed because you are on their team - doing the heavy-lifting, taking responsibility, working on problems others run from, and doing all these behind the spotlight.

I understand why this is a road less travelled. A lot of public acclaim comes from the credit tied to your name. Fellowships, awards, a mention on listicles and so on.

When you are used to giving credit away, several of the acclaim that sink others will have little effect on you when you get celebrated for the work tied to your name. You've done a lot more than the public knows. That satisfaction is more than their validation.

Plus, it is surprising what can get accomplished when we stop caring about who gets the glory.