What Do You Do When Someone Else Takes Credit For Your Work?
By Wendy R. Weidenbaum, Yuting Goh, and Kristin Hodgkinson
“I can’t believe my colleague took credit for my idea! I don’t want this to happen to me again, yet I don’t want to come across as being a non-team player. What should I do?”
In spite of the emphasis on teamwork in organizations, you may find yourself working with someone who takes credit for your work and ideas. How do you handle this in a professional yet assertive manner to meet your needs and have your voice heard?
Here are some tips that will help you take control of the situation:
1) Approach for Clarification
Before jumping to conclusions and accusations, have a conversation with your colleague first to ensure that this isn’t just a misunderstanding. Remember, this is a sensitive situation, so don’t confront your colleague in an antagonistic way. Simply seek to better understand what the issue is. Let her know your perception and listen to her point of view.
2) Voice Your Opinion, Again
If you have said something at a meeting and someone repeats it and then has the credit attributed to him, what do you do? First, wait for the other person to give you credit. If this does not happen, you may find yourself stewing about it in your chair. Instead, acknowledge graciously that you appreciate your idea added value. This is an easy way to take ownership of your ideas. Then after the meeting, approach for clarification.
3) Create a Solution
If you determine that your coworker is taking credit, intentionally or unintentionally, for your work, first seek to understand. Then, based on his response, tell him that this is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Again, keep in mind that you will have to continue to work with this individual. So while it is necessary to be assertive, do not deliver this message in an aggressive manner. Make it clear to your co-worker that you are aware when he takes credit for your work and continue to provide feedback if it continues.
4) Escalate if Necessary
If the issue persists, now is the time to take it to your manager. Speak to the credit-taker first, informing her that, due to the importance of the situation, you will have to speak with your manager. When meeting with your manager, bring evidence of the work you were involved in and ask for her advice on how to resolve this issue.
5) Prevent for the Future
To ensure that this sort of issue doesn’t crop up in the future, here are some preventive measures you can take:
Be vocal about your work and speak up during team meetings so it is clear where these great ideas originated.
Protect your intellectual property by always documenting your work so that you have evidence if you ever need to defend your ideas.
Always give credit where credit is due. If you become an individual whom people respect in the workplace, they will be more hesitant to take credit from someone who is always eager to congratulate others for their good work. Give the respect you wish to receive.
When co-workers take credit for your work, it is frustrating and disheartening. Stand up for yourself in a way that saves the relationship and asserts your needs to ensure that you are getting your voice heard.