Your CREDIT still due?
Do you have an unpaid credit? Think again.
Don't worry, I'm not referring to your credit card payment due or any other bill for that matter.
However I am trying to raise an issue, a crime, an unethical practice which happens a lot, with all of us but always gets covered up, ignored or left out so easily as if it never happened or it didn't matter.
People don't even talk about it. I wonder why it even happens. We know it's true and it's wrong, you do it or don't do it, someone else does it or doesn't do it, you are the victim or not but it's there, in the air.
My head really bangs trying to understand how and why this practice is silently accepted as if it's normal or okay or kind of a "ritual". The cause of these actions can be simply identified as to be in the spotlight, show power, showcase intelligence, beat the competition, claim that reward in the eyes of superiors, but it definitely raise questions on the ethics & culture.
As per the poll I conducted with more than 500 people through social media handles:-
- 100% people agree credit theft is real
- 50% people say it's a normal practice
- 20% people feel that they don't know what to do about it so they choose to keep quiet, however
- 80% people feel the need to handle credit theft effectively
Lynn Taylor, the workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant says “Power grabs can happen in any corporate environment because the system is simply set up for competition. However, there is healthy and unhealthy competition. This variety breeds backstabbing and a pandemic of the glory hog syndrome. The uncertain economy and still relatively high unemployment also creates fertile ground for job insecurity and credit stealing. So the practice becomes a misguided insurance against being on the chopping block.”
So first, let's discuss why "taking credit" for someone's work is an issue. As per basic norms and simple terms, you have an ethical duty to give the credit wherever and to whoever it is due. It is always an unjust outcome to take the credit for someone else's work. Technically, not only might the laws i.e. the company code be broken but one's role in the society might also be compromised.
Honestly, I always believed that "my work speaks for itself", which is true only if the people around - peers, friends, teachers or bosses share the same set of ethics, which is quite rare to find. So I hit the real world little sooner than I thought, my first experience was in school but I'll let the history rest for now.
There are people who feel threatened by certain people who originate the idea or work smartly, as they predict that s/he is smarter or produces ideas that others find valuable. Even if a boss at work feels threatened, they might take credit for their employee’s work to prevent exposing their own shortcomings. Some people believe they must protect their role at all costs, so the idea of elevating other people's work & contribution makes them uncomfortable
Do you know what are the these people called? (who take credit for someone's work) It's fraud, charlatan, impostor, stealer, plagiarizer etc. These terms already make us understand how dangerous it is in all aspects - morally, socially and ethically. Therefore it is critical to fix it or handle it rather than just tolerating such behaviour around.
I am sure we all have been into such situation in any stage of life, be it as a student, employee, artist, actor or business person, this has happened with all of us
Only a few choose to speak up and acknowledge that their credit for any idea or work done was stolen or was presented by someone else as their own, but many are still quiet and let this go easily as it's all alright. The reason to keep quiet and ignore any such instance or behaviour is due to fear to raise this, worried how others will react or judge, that's how they risk their credit for someone else's inferiority complex.
And as I always say, action starts with me & you. This is again something that needs consistent and concious efforts. Let's run through some tips & tricks to make sure that you get the credit you deserve in the future?
Here are some of the things you can do to take charge of the situation. It is my personal experience and understanding and may vary from case to case.
1. Keep Calm & Relax your palm : Yes, it is infuriating when you know you deserved that praise & raise but reacting immediately in a meeting or a personal attack would be an immature move, it may turn into an argument instead of conveying the point effectively.
2. Confess, but assess: You may not be able to identify whether it was intentional or not as many a times this is accidental or just an oversight. When you take time to analyze, it might not be as egregious as you initially thought.
3. Right to WRITE: Once you have analysed the situation and it needs addressal. Take a pen and paper, pour your heart out imagining what exactly you want to say to the person who stole your thunder. Read that once and ask yourself;
b) If yes, how much does it matter to you?
c) Does this impact your image or future career negatively?
5. Convey using WHY: Asking questions would be better than making any accusations directly. This would shift the burden from you to the other person when s/he need to justify the reason behind grabbing that credit. For reference, you may ask questions like "How did the meeting/ presentation go? Were you able to cover all the main points? This strategy may sound like passive-aggressive approach which would give your peer or colleague to recognise the miss. In case it doesn't happen, then open your cards to say that you noticed that s/he used I instead of we, team or group and ask the reason they presented it that way. The intension is to make them realise that you noticed it and think it wasn't right instead of just pin the blame.
6. Let's FIX IT: Once the credit stealer has acknowledged the miss, you may request them to make things right by writing a mail or note thanking you for your efforts and contributions, or both have a conversation with your superior to set the records straight for future as well. If the person isn't willing to support or action then use any of the opportunity to showcase your effort & involvement in the project by adding more details, answering queries, etc .
7. Take Help: Sometimes it gets quite difficult and comfortable to blow your own trumpet so seek support from a third person, who understands and is aware of your contributions and who isn't shy to talk on your behalf, involve you in discussions appropriately to make your work and efforts socially evident.
8. Still feeling stuck?: It's ok if your feel the issue is still not resolved. If these tips don't seem to work out and you feel undermined then you got to take it to your superiors, be it teacher or boss who has the ability & power to intervene & streamline things within the group or team. The only thing you need to be careful of is that it should be presented as a "concern" and not a complaint.
9. Be Proactive, Be Preventive: So now prepare for future, this should not only ease your life but also is easy to do. Prepare in advance on ownership like who would be the presenter, who would take questions, who would support with additional details, who would send the minutes or the closure mail/ note to all superiors. Make sure these actions are assigned and agreed at least couple of days in advance of the presentation day so there are no last minute hustles unless an unavoidable situation, and keep this documented for any confusion or alteration of thoughts later. This would help the team to equally proportionate the contributions & visibility.
10. Don't breach what you preach: When you are kind, generous and genuine at sharing credits, others are likely to reflect this behaviour. Don't ever hesitate to even ask your team members on how to gain better visibility & ensure the work is well recognised. You can be a the model for good credit sharing processing by a simple action of adding pictures & names of all the team members who contributed to that particular project in the presentation or reports. At the same time, try not to go overboard {like me ;)} and thank everybody for even a little part of the project. Best way to share credit is to be honest and focus on the people who truly deserve it.
There's a saying that "whatever you give to the universe, it always comes back. Sometimes, it comes back multiplied", I totally believe and follow it. So whatever you want to receive from others, be it love, smile, support, respect or credit.. initiate by giving it first.
All the best.
- Ekta Singh
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