Who Gets the Credit When Things Go Right?

It’s easy to take ownership when things fall apart, but what about when everything goes right? In this episode of The Unstoppable Trifecta, Julia explores one of the most overlooked tests of leadership: how we handle success.

You’ll hear a personal story that reshaped how she views credit, celebration, and humility, and discover three simple ways to lead with integrity when the spotlight shines.

Because great leaders don’t just show up in crisis,  they lift others in the win.

Transcript

when things go wrong, how fast do people start pointing fingers? Pretty fast, right? We scramble to assign blame, to protect ourselves, to explain the failure.

But what about when things go right?
Who gets the credit then?

If you're a leader, this question might sting a little. Because here’s the truth: leadership isn’t just about owning the bad — it’s about sharing the good.

And this is where the trifecta really shows up:
✅ Resilience in the aftermath of failure.
✅ Accountability in the middle of the storm.
✅ But also — humility when the sun comes out.

Let me share something personal.

Years ago, I gave a talk at a conference. It was one of those moments where everything just clicked. The message landed. The room leaned in. I knew I had connected.

Afterward, several people came up to tell me how powerful it was. And for a brief moment, I stood there soaking it all in, proud of myself. Rightfully so — I had done the work. But as I walked back to my car, I had a moment of quiet reflection.

That talk wasn’t just me.

It was every coach who poured into me.
Every late night I spent listening to John Maxwell CDs in my car.
Every no that built my resilience.
Every stroke recovery step that taught me to stand again — literally and figuratively.

It hit me: yes, I delivered the talk —
But a whole unseen army made it possible.

And that realization reminded me of something important:

Great leaders know something average leaders forget:
Credit isn’t a pie with limited slices.
Giving it away doesn’t mean you get less.
It means everyone gets more.

When we give credit, we give dignity.
We give people a reason to keep believing, to keep showing up, to keep building.

So how do we make sure credit lands in the right hands?

Here are three quick checks from the Unstoppable Trifecta:

1.   Resilience Check:
Don’t just bounce back from failure — bounce forward into growth.
When things go right, highlight the tough moments it took to get there. Honor the journey.

2.   Accountability Check:
Ask yourself: Who helped create the environment where success could happen? Who spoke life into you? Who challenged you? Who supported you behind the scenes?

3.   Humility Check:
This is the hardest one — and the most powerful.
When the spotlight turns your way, don’t deflect it completely — redirect it. Use your moment to lift others up.

Because leadership isn’t about being the hero.
It’s about honoring the heroes that got you here.

Let me leave you with this:

When things go wrong, the world is watching.
But when things go right — your character is watching.

And what you do in that moment?
It determines how grounded you stay.

So give the credit away.
Lift others up.
And let your gratitude speak louder than your applause.

That’s what it means to lead from the trifecta.