09/08/2026
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮!
Over the years, one lesson has stayed with me from both my Master's studies and my professional career:
Almost everything we create is built upon something that already existed.
A business strategy may be inspired by another company.
A process may be adapted from a mentor's advice.
A project may incorporate ideas gathered from colleagues, consultants, books, articles, conferences, or increasingly today, AI.
Innovation is rarely about creating something from nothing.
More often, it is about combining existing ideas, experiences, and knowledge in a better way.
One thing I learned during my Master's program was the importance of references. Every project, dissertation, and research paper required us to acknowledge the sources that contributed to our thinking.
Even the world's best-selling books often dedicate entire sections to references, acknowledgements, and credits.
Yet in business, people sometimes hesitate to acknowledge where ideas came from. Perhaps they fear that others will undervalue their contribution if they admit they received advice, sought guidance, or built upon someone else's work.
I have come to believe the opposite.
Giving credit does not diminish your achievement.
It demonstrates confidence, humility, and respect for the people and knowledge that helped you get there.
No successful person builds entirely alone.
Every achievement is a combination of lessons learned, guidance received, mistakes made, and ideas borrowed and improved along the way.
The real skill is not pretending an idea is entirely yours.
The real skill is turning inspiration into ex*****on.
What are your thoughts? Do leaders gain more respect by giving credit, or by claiming ownership of every idea?
