Credibility stamps work until they don’t

Many stamps of credibility serve at least one purpose; they show the world that you are worth taking seriously. There is wisdom in knowing what stamps are worth the game you want to play and what stamps aren’t worth it.

The ultimate goal is to be your own credibility stamp.

When I think of the people I really adore - from Jesus to Charlie Munger and my dad - I realise they were their own credibility stamps. This may just be because their stories survived. There might be many like them who didn’t rely on external stamps of validity. Even if no one remembers those people, the peace of knowing they lived by their standards, and were credible in themselves is enough.

Over time, we learn that the credibility stamps on us aren’t for us. They are for others. And we learn not to define ourselves by the stamps others graciously place on us. The moment we need them to feel worthy, we’ve lost. Even if we have them all.

If you checked my profile a decade ago, you’ll find yourself reading through many credibility stamps - from fellowships, to awards and citations of those who have praised my work. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s no longer there, but anyone good with search can still find them online.

Those stamps have their place in the world. They make it easy for others to see the work we’ve done. They are placeholders for trust. They signal to others that we are legit. They may get us in the door, but we still have to do the work of affirming, building and retaining trust.

The danger is seeing ourselves only through the lens of those stamps.