Sonja Vorster
You have worked very hard on a project. You are very excited to deliver your wonderful ideas to the team and boss. But in the presentation meeting, a co-worker starts presenting your project.
Every single aspect of “his” presentation is yours! How should you handle these situations? You may be torn between a desire to seek revenge and letting it go altogether. Should you jump in as soon as possible to reclaim your project? Or retreat and hope it’s a one-time thing?
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Take steps to prevent a recurrence
You cannot control how other people act in the workplace but you can use the experience to adjust how you act in the future. Take more ownership over your ideas. Be sure to speak up in meetings, be assertive.
You might send periodic updates about your work even before a project is completed and in that way, someone else is unable to go around you before you’re finished.”
Cover your ideas in the future
Talk with your boss before beginning work on a project. Set expectations with questions such as:
• How will we build support for our idea?
• Who oversees responsibility – and for which tasks?
• When will we present these ideas to senior management?
• Who will answer questions and be responsible for follow-up?
Keep the door open to revisit these agreements.
Use your emotions in positive ways
You care about your job, so when someone steals your idea it’s natural to be upset. There’s no right or wrong way to feel.
In fact, your emotions may sway from disgust to defeat. Developing the self-awareness to deal with your emotions and act on them constructively is key.
This might mean taking time to calm down. Even though you might want to vent to a co-worker rather than confront the ‘idea thief’ himself, it’s best to approach the person and assert yourself so he’ll know you’re not the office pushover.
Remember, you do not need to accept this behaviour, no matter who is doing it. You are worthwhile and your ideas are obviously good, so stand up for yourself.
Showing that you have a backbone could make your co-worker think twice about trying the same move again. You may want to say if you are absolutely sure it was your work:
“Thank you, I’m glad you liked my work. I stayed late yesterday to finish and I think it paid off.”
Become an idea-expert
Consider sharing your best ideas by explaining them to groups instead of to one co-worker. Document them in memos and emails. Even invite others to add to and develop the ideas. Then you’ll have the opportunity to acknowledge and thank your co-workers for their input.
In doing so, you’ll draw attention as an innovator and get known around the office for being gracious and inclusive. You’ll earn a reputation as a go-to for creativity, originality and ingenuity. What could be better?
Be generous about sharing credit yourself
Your co-workers are more likely to give a nod to your great ideas if you are generous about sharing credit yourself. Like it or not, having someone steal credit is a common occurrence. But there are ways you can respond with poise.
In the process you’ll hone important skills like communication, negotiation and self-promotion that’ll make you a better leader and set you up for success if this challenge arises again.
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Special note to readers:- domestic wages increases
Unfortunately it seems that the Minister of Labour is late in legislating the new minimum wages that was due on December 1. As soon as they have been gazetted, Labour Buzz will inform the readers.
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