It Is Mine Alone (2 Min Read) | Vol. 207

June 12, 2026

“Always be quick to give credit and to take blame.” — Kevin Kelly

It Is Mine Alone

On June 6, 1944, more than 156,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. Over 10,000 were wounded or killed. It is widely considered the turning point of WWII.

What few know is that General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who oversaw the operation, had real doubts. “Operation Overlord” involved over 5,000 ships and nearly 12,000 aircraft. It was a logistical nightmare. Had the plan been compromised? Was the enemy waiting? No one knew.

The evening before the assault, Eisenhower wrote a letter to be read in case of failure. He was so rattled he misdated it – July 5 instead of June 5.

“Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air, and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”

I’ve thought about this note often. Many demand the spotlight for wins. Few take ownership of losses. Even staring down a failure he hadn’t caused, Eisenhower praised his troops and kept the blame for himself. That is rare leadership.

Lead long enough and you will experience failure that can’t be ignored. A launch flops. A hire doesn’t work out. A deal falls through. In that moment, you choose where the credit goes and where the blame lands.

Here’s the harsh reality. The higher you climb, the more the blame is yours to claim. Credit flows down. Blame flows up. That’s the job.

One question to ponder in your thinking time: When was the last time I said the words “that’s on me?”

Make an Impact!
Jay Papasan
Author I CEO I Coach