Team before self

I came across a quote - "It is remarkable how much we can achieve if we don't care who gets the credit." Coming to think of it, in every field of life where collaboration is of essence, keeping the larger goal or group-objective as the prime rather sole focus is the differentiating factor between individuals. Those obsessed with personal gains and trophies or promotions may seem to be getting ahead of the crew, but I believe that is a misconception that gets shattered as the years pass.

In my field, I see so many veterans who are respected because they have been working without the greed for accolades simply for the joy of seeing and experiencing milestones being achieved! E.g. - One person I knew had worked 20 years on the same project as a software test-engineer (today, of course he is the chief test engineer - not a manager or Quality-head) and he has been acknowledged as the best person who knows the ins and outs of the software and its evolution right from its early days.

So, out go personal achievements and trophies and in comes the team achievements! Well, is it so simple? I guess not...