How One Woman Took Back Credit from Her Boss
Ever found yourself working tirelessly on a project, only to watch someone else—your boss, perhaps—take all the glory? It’s a frustratingly common experience for women in the workplace. But this doesn’t have to be your story. Reclaiming credit is not just about fairness; it’s about owning your contributions and positioning yourself as a leader. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to ensuring your efforts are recognised and celebrated.
Powerful Strategies for Women to Reclaim Their Credit at Work
In workplaces, it’s not uncommon for women’s contributions to be overshadowed or overlooked. Instead of staying silent, use these actionable strategies to take control, assert your presence, and ensure your work gets the recognition it deserves.
1. Speak Up Early and Often
Visibility is power. If you’ve contributed significantly to a project, don’t wait for someone else to acknowledge it.
What to Do: During meetings, update the team on your progress and contributions. Use phrases like, “I’ve been leading the development of…” or “Here’s what I accomplished so far.”
Why It Works: Speaking up establishes your presence and ensures everyone knows your role in the project.
2. Document Everything
In workplaces where credit-stealing happens, it is a must to have evidence of your contributions.
What to Do: Maintain detailed records – emails, drafts, and presentations that clearly highlight your role. Share updates via written communication so there’s a paper trail.
Pro Tip: Send a summary email post-meeting, highlighting your inputs and next steps.
3. Build a Personal Brand Within the Team
Your work should speak for itself, but sometimes it needs a little amplification.
What to Do: Own expertise by sharing your insights when the team is brainstorming, or volunteer to present to the team. Iron Lady Tip: Brand yourself as that person who is relied upon with specific types of issues. Of course, this boosts credibility and makes it difficult for others to steal the limelight around your contributions
4. Address the Situation Professionally
If the boss doesn’t stop at taking away your credit; it’s time to face the reality. But one needs tact.
What to Do: Schedule a private conversation. Use facts, not feelings, to make your case. For example:
“I noticed that my contributions weren’t mentioned in today’s meeting. I’d like to clarify my role in [project].” “Going forward, I’d appreciate the opportunity to present my work directly.”
Why It Works: This approach is assertive but professional, focusing on collaboration rather than confrontation.
5. Network Strategically
Sometimes, it is not a matter of correcting one but of creating a reputation ahead of you
What to Do: Engage with senior leaders and cross-functional teams. Share your achievements through updates, presentations, or informal discussions.
Why It’s Powerful: When others recognize your worth, it becomes harder for someone to downplay your contributions.
6. Recognize Your Worth
Most importantly, know that your worth is not lost because someone else did something. Confidence in your skills is the basis of regaining credit.
Most importantly, know that your worth is not lost because someone else did something. Confidence in your skills is the basis of regaining credit.
What to Do: Continuously work on your business leadership skills with programs that teach strategic thinking, negotiation, and visibility-building tactics.
Pro Tip: Join leadership programs like Iron Lady’s to learn how to navigate complex workplace dynamics.
Turn Your Efforts into Leadership Power
Taking credit for your work isn’t arrogance-it’s leadership. Speaking up, recording efforts, and positioning oneself as a leader guarantees the contributions of those efforts. Don’t forget; the intent isn’t to simply defend work but to step above the rest and lead with confidence.
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