We've all seen it done before, people taking credit for other people's work. Whether it's a simple idea or an entire strategic plan...acting like someone else's intelligence is yours is...wrong!
I'm a team player. I give props where props are due. If one of my employees or co-workers comes up with a bigger and better idea than I do in a brainstorming session? Let their light shine! Help their flower blossom! If they look good, you look good.
To take credit for someone else's idea is one of the most blantant displays of disrespect. But, the problem has always been around and it seems to be growing even more these days.
Perhaps it's a generational thing. You've got the 20-somethings, just graduating, who think they deserve a six-figure salary right out of the gate. You've got the single child who grew up silver spoon-fed who believes society OWES them a title. These individuals are the ones to fear in the workplace.
Hypothetical scenario:
Worker A has been working on a proposal for weeks. All the work is done and it just needs to be finalized by Client A who has been on vacation for a week.
Enter Worker B.
Worker B, who has contributed absolutely nothing to the proposal (creative, research, planning, etc.), takes a look at the almost finished proposal and throws in useless comments.
Worker B then contacts Client A stating that said client should be seeing the proposal come through soon. "On behalf of Company X, thank you for your business. It's been a pleasure working with you."
Though Client A is now confused as to who the real contact for the company is, Client A decides to sign on the dotted line...solidifying a huge deal for Worker A and Worker B's company.
In an email sent out to all staff, Worker B thanked the entire staff for their help in getting Client A on board..."I couldn't have done it without your help."
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Of course Worker B couldn't have done it without help. Worker A did all the work!
I feel Worker A's pain. I bet there are a lot of Worker As out there who would have felt the need to jump through the computer and rip the face off of Worker B while sending a reminder that there is no 'I' in TEAM - insert expletive here.
There are a lot of people who will do just about anything or step on just about anyone to get ahead. But, I take solace in the fact that they must be really unhappy and sad individuals. They must spend a lot of money on alcohol, therapy, calls to mommy and daddy begging for more praise. How lonely and pathetic their lives must be.
These spoiled, only-child syndrome sufferers, rookies in the workforce have a lot learn in the real world. Your co-workers will only put up with your crap for so long before they stand on top of a bell tower and try to take you out.
But until then, enjoy the motto you seemed to have adopted from an early age:
On the ladder of life, it's better to be the foot stepping up than the rung stepped on.
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