You are the one who burns the midnight oil – working hard, long hours and weekends too, to turn in a flawless assignment bang on schedule. You also toil endlessly to fine-tune a perfect cost cutting idea and submit it to the boss along with the project report.
Even as you sit back, waiting for the rush of accolades to pour in, no prizes for guessing who actually walks away with the credit! The boss slyly palms off the achievements as his own labour with ‘I did this’ or ‘My idea is…’. He steals the show from under your very nose while your hard work does not merit even a passing mention.
Surprised? Don’t be! Credit-stealing bosses are more common than you ever imagined.
Dirty politics rule the roost as most bosses routinely try to hog the limelight. They present the subordinate’s work and bright ideas to the company’s top brass as their own and downright refuse to even share the kudos. All that the slighted employee can do is sit around fuming at the gross injustice.
Crying foul or kicking up a fuss would be futile. The boss wields significant control on your career and a combative stance will end up pushing the wrong buttons. Also, you hear serious allegations of deceit or theft. These form indubitable grounds for dismissing you as ‘insubordinate’ or ‘hysterical’.
However, a glaring lack of acknowledgement of inputs and recognition for contributions is not only hard to swallow but can undermine the victim’s self-confidence. Repercussions on efficiency and creativity are bound to follow. So, here are a few tips for tackling the situation smartly:
Keep emotions in check: Never commit the grave error of storming into the boss’ office to label him as a thief. Do speak up, instead keep the confrontation polite, calm and professional. Play down your feelings, resolve the matter tactfully and just hope that he gets the message!
Play it safe: Do not play into the boss’ hands by giving him further opportunities to steal your work. Circumvent the scene-stealing tactics by changing the way you share your work or suggestions. Following are a few quick fixes that make it hard to steal the credit due to you:
Even as you sit back, waiting for the rush of accolades to pour in, no prizes for guessing who actually walks away with the credit! The boss slyly palms off the achievements as his own labour with ‘I did this’ or ‘My idea is…’. He steals the show from under your very nose while your hard work does not merit even a passing mention.
Surprised? Don’t be! Credit-stealing bosses are more common than you ever imagined.
Dirty politics rule the roost as most bosses routinely try to hog the limelight. They present the subordinate’s work and bright ideas to the company’s top brass as their own and downright refuse to even share the kudos. All that the slighted employee can do is sit around fuming at the gross injustice.
Crying foul or kicking up a fuss would be futile. The boss wields significant control on your career and a combative stance will end up pushing the wrong buttons. Also, you hear serious allegations of deceit or theft. These form indubitable grounds for dismissing you as ‘insubordinate’ or ‘hysterical’.
However, a glaring lack of acknowledgement of inputs and recognition for contributions is not only hard to swallow but can undermine the victim’s self-confidence. Repercussions on efficiency and creativity are bound to follow. So, here are a few tips for tackling the situation smartly:
Keep emotions in check: Never commit the grave error of storming into the boss’ office to label him as a thief. Do speak up, instead keep the confrontation polite, calm and professional. Play down your feelings, resolve the matter tactfully and just hope that he gets the message!
Play it safe: Do not play into the boss’ hands by giving him further opportunities to steal your work. Circumvent the scene-stealing tactics by changing the way you share your work or suggestions. Following are a few quick fixes that make it hard to steal the credit due to you:
• Make sure your name is always alongside anything you document.
• Before submitting your work, keep documentary proof by making backup copies with a date stamp on it.
• Do not even think of sharing your ideas with the boss beforehand (for feedback) ever again, not in private at least – it’s an open invitation to steal.
• Outsmart him by unveiling the solution/output publicly or in meetings where minutes are duly recorded. As writer Adrian Savage advises, ‘Try to make sure you never talk about any of your ideas except in situations where you can clearly label them as yours’.
• Present your suggestions either in writing as memos, email messages, or send copies of discussed ideas to your colleagues and superiors. The evidentiary trail will indisputably link your name to your ideas.
Toot your own horn: Take pride in the fact that your work/ideas are good enough to steal credit. Wrestle the acclaim due to you by regularly reviewing your achievements and suggestions with appropriate superiors. Doing important, visible tasks and taking initiative in front of others will also garner recognition for your strengths and successes.
Turn it to your advantage: Understand that the boss is either insecure of his own abilities or perceives you as a threat. This makes him resort to underhand glory-grabbing antics. Some clever bootlicking is in order – admire his work, solicit suggestions and show respect, build a rapport that impedes him from the unethical credit-stealing.
At times, be willing to deflect the personal praise and share the credit by hyping the boss’ support and encouragement. If possible, learn to let go and allow the boss rake in the congratulations. Making the boss look good will absolve the insecurities even while you bask in the reflected glory.
Put your foot down: If all else fails, as a last resort, go over the boss’ head and report the ‘plagiarism’ to a superior or the super boss. You can build a case against him armed with evidentiary defence or simply angle for a transfer. However, as one newspaper puts it, ‘There are a few organisations which are open to taking proactive action but be prepared for the possibility of getting branded as a trouble-maker!’
So, cross your fingers and hope for the best. If even this does not work and you still ‘need’ the credit you deserve, it’s time to air out your resume and find a new job!
Toot your own horn: Take pride in the fact that your work/ideas are good enough to steal credit. Wrestle the acclaim due to you by regularly reviewing your achievements and suggestions with appropriate superiors. Doing important, visible tasks and taking initiative in front of others will also garner recognition for your strengths and successes.
Turn it to your advantage: Understand that the boss is either insecure of his own abilities or perceives you as a threat. This makes him resort to underhand glory-grabbing antics. Some clever bootlicking is in order – admire his work, solicit suggestions and show respect, build a rapport that impedes him from the unethical credit-stealing.
At times, be willing to deflect the personal praise and share the credit by hyping the boss’ support and encouragement. If possible, learn to let go and allow the boss rake in the congratulations. Making the boss look good will absolve the insecurities even while you bask in the reflected glory.
Put your foot down: If all else fails, as a last resort, go over the boss’ head and report the ‘plagiarism’ to a superior or the super boss. You can build a case against him armed with evidentiary defence or simply angle for a transfer. However, as one newspaper puts it, ‘There are a few organisations which are open to taking proactive action but be prepared for the possibility of getting branded as a trouble-maker!’
So, cross your fingers and hope for the best. If even this does not work and you still ‘need’ the credit you deserve, it’s time to air out your resume and find a new job!
PAYAL CHANANIA
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