Dear Diary,
I presumed some of you should have experience in dealing with your co-workers who takes credit for your work. What is even worse when the credit stealer or this unethical person is your own boss.
In the movie mostly it ends happily ever after and the boss always ends up getting dramatically fired. Unfortunately, in reality not all boss/co-worker credit stealing situations are resolved easily or as theatrically as in movies. For the victims it is a very difficult situation to deal with especially with your superior - since the balance of power is tipped in favour of the boss, since they often control the fate of subordinates via performance appraisal, work assignments and promotion opportunities.
Some people believe that if your boss takes credit for your work, you should allow them, as you as his/her subordinates should be there to support your boss, no matter what they do. However, I believe as an ethical boss, he/she doesn't need to steal credit from his/her subordinates' they should feel confident enough in their own skill and experience to ensure they create a teamwork atmosphere and encourage and motivate their subordinates by giving credit when credit is deserved.
But accusing a colleague or boss of taking credit for your ideas may create more problems than it solves. You have to think about the politics of dealing with it. Furthermore, whistle-blowers don't have a very good track record in terms of surviving the experience. On top of it, it is quite difficult to establish ownership of an idea. It could just be that a co-worker or boss came up with the same idea on their own.
Hence it is recommended to talk to the person in as tactfully manner as possible before pointing fingers because it is crucial for you not to poison the work relationship that you have for so long. Indeed, making a fuss about the person who taking credit for your ideas could make you look like a bad guy, or as petty. Instead, you should portray yourself that so confident of your own intelligent and you abilities that you are actually open to inviting other people to help your idea to grow.
Considering all the possible negative consequences of making an issue of this matter, it is no wonder that so many people choose to ignore it and just let it go.
Now I really wish it is legal to gag someone against their will.
Signed off for now
LOLA
