4 Strategies for Women Leaders When The Manager Takes Credit for Work

It’s infuriating to pour your heart and soul into your work, only to see others take credit. For women in leadership, this scenario is not just disheartening but a significant barrier to career advancement. If you get fooled once, it’s understandable. If you get fooled multiple times, you are to be blamed! Developing a proactive strategy to ensure your contributions are recognised and valued is crucial.

A study by Catalyst found that women are often less likely to be credited for their contributions in the workplace. If left unaddressed, this issue can impede your professional growth and morale.

Thousands of Iron Ladies have tackled this prevalent problem at their workplaces by applying the following tactics. Dive in and discover smart ways of handling the tough situation.

4 Tactics for Ensuring Your Work Gets Noticed

1. Adopt a Proactive Attack Plan:

If you find yourself repeatedly overlooked, it’s time to take proactive measures. Keep meticulous records of your contributions, including emails, progress reports, and documented updates. Use these to your advantage when the time comes.

Example: Ensure you have a trail of your contributions and communications to back up your claims formally documents over emails.

2. Create and Share Regular Updates:

Establish a routine of sending out regular updates on your projects and contributions. This not only keeps everyone informed but also serves as a documented record of your efforts.

Example: Send weekly updates to your team and higher management. Include a summary of what has been accomplished, current progress, and upcoming tasks. This keeps everyone in the loop and transparently highlights your role.

3. Make Drama Work for You:

When facing delays or issues, don’t hesitate to raise alarms. Use emails and team meetings to emphasise the urgency and your proactive steps to address the problems. This not only draws attention to your diligence but also provides a documented warning if issues arise.

Example: “We are losing time; we are lagging and stuck!” Send emails and keep folders ready that highlight potential issues and your proposed solutions. When problems occur, you can refer back to these communications: “I warned you all. Check my emails. I updated everyone regularly.”

4. Blame Processes, Not People:

Avoid pointing fingers directly at individuals. Instead, focus on highlighting the shortcomings of procedures and processes. This approach prevents alienation and maintains professional relationships while making your point clear.

Example: “Unfortunately, we are stuck due to procedural inefficiencies. As my previous updates indicated, there were several points where we could have improved the process to avoid this situation.” Email updates like these will ensure to keep all teams informed and highlight how you’re hands-on with the minute details of the project you’re handling.

At Iron Lady, we push women to practice proactive and powerful leadership. Women learn how to keep detailed records, regularly update the teams, and use strategic communication to ensure their hard work is recognised and acknowledged!

Remember, leadership is about more than just doing the work—it’s about making sure your contributions are seen and acknowledged. Use these strategies to reclaim your credit and shine as the leader you are.

Don’t let others take credit for your hard work. Equip yourself with the skills to ensure your contributions are recognised with our Leadership Masterclass Program.