The Power of Attribution: How Giving Credit Fuels Redemptive Success

I must have heard thousands of stories in my lifetime. So why is it that when I’m called upon to share one, my mind sometimes goes blank?

And yet, I always have my handful of “back-pocket” speeches—stories and lessons that resonated so deeply that I can recall exactly where I was and who told them to me.

These are the ones that, when I start, my kids roll their eyes and finish the punchline for me—or stop me entirely to save me from embarrassing them… or myself.

Giving Credit Brings Redemption

Growing up, I often heard the phrase:

“Whoever says something in the name of the one who said it brings redemption to the world.”

It never really clicked—until I started seeing its impact in business, leadership, and life.

In Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 1:9, we read:

“That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.”

Wisdom, innovation, and success don’t appear out of nowhere. They build on what came before. What matters isn’t just the idea itself but how we refine it, apply it—and most importantly, acknowledge where it came from.

Attribution as a Competitive Edge

Attribution isn’t just ethical—it’s powerful. It:

Builds Trust – Integrity earns credibility.

Strengthens Networks – People share more when their contributions are valued.

Drives Growth – The best businesses don’t hoard ideas; they evolve them.

The highest form of attribution? Tracing wisdom back to its true source. In the Talmud, sages didn’t just quote their teachers; they cited their teachers’ teachers. Ideas gain weight when connected to their roots.

Attribution as a Business Model

This principle is built into the Cutting Edge Platform Partners model. When a Partner refers another Partner, they remain connected in the referral fee ad infinitum. Why? Because just like knowledge, opportunity should always flow back to its source.

• A single introduction can spark a chain of success, and that chain should never be broken.

• The value of a referral isn’t just immediate—it’s generational.

• This model fosters long-term thinking, rewarding those who build networks instead of chasing one-time wins.

Fighting Disinformation with Truth

Today, AI-generated content, viral misinformation, and social media strip ideas of their origins. In business, success stories are rewritten, strategies repackaged, and credit misplaced.

The antidote? True attribution. Honoring sources preserves authenticity, deepens trust, and strengthens impact.

Attribution isn’t just a courtesy—it’s the foundation of lasting success. On the Cutting Edge Platform, this isn’t just a principle; it’s a built-in feature. The network thrives because everyone stays connected to their source.

So before sharing an idea or making an introduction, ask yourself: Who helped shape this? Where did it begin?

Give credit. Elevate others. Because in a world drowning in noise, truth is the most valuable asset of all.