February 28, 2008
‘My boss secretly takes credit for my own work’
I have just started in a newly created role to drum up clients for a mid-sized corporate consultancy. My line manager is a 50-something male who has been in his job for decades and whose highlight of the day is a hot lunch in the office canteen. Having tried time and again to enthuse him about commercial possibilities, he simply scoffs and sends me off on wild goose chases. I now realise he has been secretly siphoning off the leads and passing them off as his own. Is there a way to remedy this infantile behaviour or should I declare him a lost cause and start feeding him red herrings?
Discontented, 40-something female
Lucy’s Answer
Your boss is a fool. Not because he passes your work off as his own: this makes perfect sense and is what most bosses do. By claiming some of the credit for work done by juniors, seniors justify their higher salaries and grander positions.
Neither is your boss a fool for looking forward to his lunch in the canteen - these reliable pleasures are hard to come by and if he has found one, then good luck to him. Indeed, enjoying a hot meal at lunchtime makes him sound like a predictable, reasonable sort of person who you should be managing a lot better than you are, of which more in a minute.
Instead, what makes him a fool is that he has alienated you. If he were a good manager he would be able to take some credit for your work when he talks to his seniors, but when he talks to you he should be generous and lay on the praise with a trowel. That way you go on providing the leads that go towards paying both of your salaries.
He is managing you badly; but it sounds as if you are making an even worse job of dealing with him. Your contempt shines through in the way you’ve written your problem, and I bet you’ve communicated that to him.
If he is the sort of traditional male who can only cope with ideas that are his own, you need to pander to that. Have a toad-in-the-hole with him one day in the canteen and try to talk about the issue nicely. Congratulate him on following up your leads.
If he comes to distrust you a little less, things may run a lot more smoothly before long.
My guess is that you are seriously underestimating your line manager. The skill set of a 50-something corporate survivor generally includes the ability to claim credit for the work of others (and slide out of the firing line when blame is being portioned out), but does not usually make it likely that he will swallow your red herrings. It is quite likely that he has already detected your personal animosity and is setting you up to take a fall.
Before it is too late perhaps you should reflect on why the company felt it was necessary to create a business development role, why they felt you should be appointed to take charge, and to what extent it is necessary to consult with your line manager to get the job done. In this role results count and any big new customer who joins because of YOU will ensure that you get the credit.
Chris,55, male, VP
Posted by: Chris Johnson | February 28th, 2008 at 10:51 am | Report this commentYour problem may be worse than you think. You work for a management consultancy that only has a canteen. All the decent ones have restaurants. Start looking around immediately.
Posted by: Director 39 | February 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm | Report this commentConsider yourself lucky to have a canteen/restaurant/cafe - we have to leave our desks and battle in high street sandwich bars!
Anyway - for someone starting in the role, you already sound quite bitter. You sound dynamic (unlike your Boss) and you have the opportunity to create something from new. Set out the way you want to do things and drive the agenda so you are on the front foot.
Make sure that your Boss’ boss knows how well you are doing & see whether you can delegate upwards so that Boss has little time to send you on wild goose chases.
If all else fails - get another job.
Posted by: Andrew, 45 | February 28th, 2008 at 8:39 pm | Report this commentI think the best thing to do is to almost brag about the work you are doing to your colleagues-then if your boss tries to pass the work off as his own people won’t be fooled. Of course, this could make you look like you are showing off, or could backfire if people think it is in fact your boss who is doing the work and YOU who is trying to take credit for his work!
Or, you could just talk to your boss about it-maybe he is doing additional work that you don’t know about-or is actually telling people that it is your work
Posted by: Emma, female, 32, analyst | February 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm | Report this commentYou probably need to be careful. The behaviour of your boss looks more perverse than infantile. A friend of mine went into a serious depression from which he had never recovered in a similar situation. He worked like mad on a reorganisation project, his boss heavily criticized what he has done to the point that my friend quit, and then his boss took all the credit for what has been done.
Posted by: Beatrice, female, 30, analyst | February 29th, 2008 at 6:59 pm | Report this commenti think of the followings: your colleagues do notice that the boss is comin up with new ideas and they would sure associate them with the new blood in the company. Second, I sense that you don’t have much accounts/clients and things are pretty static…on the other hand, I don’t think he is taking credits for your ideas, most probably he is conveying them and trying to get some indirect vibes and feedback…he has notice a few weak points of yours and acting on them: You don’t seem to be a team leader or have found the right platform or presentation to communication your ideas to him or colleages.
I was there once, I went into a surviving mode until I found something else, a surviving mode of 2 years and 6 months! Depends how big your consultancy company is…
Posted by: loucia isaac | February 29th, 2008 at 10:00 pm | Report this commentWelcome to the corporate world, honey! It’s amazing that you’re 40-something and are surprised by what is typical corporate behavior.. it’s the reason so may avoid cubicleland.
Best thing is to copy HIS boss on the leads you provide, or otherwise make it known over his head that it’s YOU that’s coming up with the leads. Maybe “accidentally” bump into his mangers in the hall and bring it up as part of the conversation.
You must always remember that your immediate boss will ALWAYS take credit for your work. That’s why it’s so important to know your boss’s boss.
Posted by: Linda | March 1st, 2008 at 12:11 am | Report this commentWell, it looks like that’s why you were hired - to make up for the inadequacies of your boss. It’s classic. Assuming you’re drawing a salary, what’s wrong?
Oh yes, we all like appreciation; so if that is truly important to you, get another job and THEN tell your boss’s boss why you’re leaving at the exit interview.
Posted by: Pat | March 3rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm | Report this commentI thought the whole point of hierarchies is that your superiors take the credit if it goes right but avoid the blame if it goes wrong.
Posted by: dezza | March 3rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm | Report this commentAlways play fair; a red herring will often turn into a much larger fish slapped across your own face.
Specify your budget, look at the market, decide where to focus, then go after it; be positive and others will work with you, use your colleagues for advice and support them with their agendas and you will probably achieve yours.
Posted by: Paul Gibb | March 3rd, 2008 at 4:25 pm | Report this commentShop him to his boss. Get some concrete examples.
Posted by: keith | March 3rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm | Report this commentEmasculate him. You might get canned but so what — do them for unfair dismissal
.Enjoy
I think you should make your proposals in e-mails copied also to other colleagues, try to establish a team work to supposedly involve others , so that that there is a trace and line of your ideas and the boss will not be able to claim them as emanating from him.
If the boss tells you off for copying others, try to justify it team play or other depending on the structure of your department.
If you really have a great idea, copy his won boss , it will make or break your situation, if the latter, well it will be time to leave anyway..
Posted by: Athena, female, lawyer, 40, | March 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 pm | Report this commentIt’s definitely dangerous, from my point of view, to expose your boss so called infantile behavior before the colleagues, unless you’ve made your mind to give up the position. Delivering your achievements and know-how in the meetings that his boss in attendance, and pretending just a mere mention for appropriate reference seem to be smarter.
Posted by: Sherry | March 4th, 2008 at 3:21 am | Report this commentIf you want to stay in this position, I would heed the advise of Sun Tzu. “Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.” Create leads that seem valid and feed them to the line manager, make it seem as though you are losing traction with old clients, not able to stir up new clients; all the while keep your pipeline close to vest. Surprise your superiors with great results, and watch your tormentor flounder.
Posted by: Mark | March 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm | Report this commentI suggest you read the book “Nice Girls Dont Get the Corner Office.” It has many ideas on how to deal with that environment.
Posted by: marin | March 4th, 2008 at 6:57 pm | Report this commentI had a boss like this. In addition, he asked me to do some administrative tasks for him that he should have handled himself. I had been employed about 1 year at that company then, and wanted to get ahead so I found myself doing more and more for him. He just enjoyed his comfortable life and took Friday afternoons off. 1.5 years later I applied for another position in our department and he told me that he had lost my application. I resent it to him - and he still “could not find” my application. I stopped doing his stuff for him that day, 3 months later he was forced to retire….as he could not do his job….
Posted by: Barb | March 5th, 2008 at 2:16 am | Report this commentwhat you can do is to wait and see what time he goes to toilet, lock him up there for a while.
Posted by: wazirzada | March 5th, 2008 at 5:59 am | Report this commentI can bet that you will feel much better after that and try not to give him full information abt your work. so that he should not be able to get any picture or portray it as his own work in front of senior management.
You should aim to make your bosses job as easy as possible, so that you get good recommendations and are known as being competent and good to work with. Just make it known which ideas you came up with at meetings etc… If you try to compete with your boss you will be set for a fall.
If you work in a large corporation then a hot dinner is probably about as exciting as a day gets. There is more risk and return being independent, which is certainly more exciting.
Posted by: James | March 5th, 2008 at 3:28 pm | Report this commentDear discontented 40 something female,
Posted by: richard gere | March 5th, 2008 at 3:39 pm | Report this commentWe are all exploited to one degree or another. I was once very fed up with my well paid city job. I was working closely with a large supplier to my company and complained that I had had enough and would probably resign my position. He told me a real home truth, thus.
“We are all here to make our boss look good”
Remember this each day you work and you will not go wrong. Bosses do differ, but they all want to look good and by looking good they make their bosses look good and get to keep their jobs. People that think they can do their bosses jobs standing on their heads usually cannot and have reached their current limits of competency.
Kindest regards, Richard.
I would suggest she did up a 6-month (or whatever the time period is) short but comprehensive summary report of all the leads, initiatives, etc. she has done, in very forceful, impressive style, including the fact that she has forwarded them on to X, and address and distribute this memo to 3-4 executives, including X and X’s bosses; and conclude it by asking for advice and suggestions on how to improve further.
And I would advise her to eat lots of Liederkranz, and to find an older companion who understands moons.
48, fmale, Director
Posted by: Marob Mathar | March 5th, 2008 at 3:43 pm | Report this commentOne more thing…..keep smiling a lot at work, that will keep your boss on his/her toes and create a bit of paranoia.
Richard.
Richard
Posted by: richard gere | March 5th, 2008 at 3:43 pm | Report this comment43, male
Organisational Development Consultant
I recommend keeping a portfolio of all of the projects and leads that you have contributed to over the course of your job. When it comes time to ask for a raise or promotion present it to you boss as evidence of your competency. If he/she continues to abuse his power, take the portfolio to his boss and lay out your reasons for going over the top of your boss along with everything you have worked on in your job. If this doesn’t work, quit - no point wasting your time in a business you don’t own if its not a meritocracy. At least now you have a portfolio to take around on job interviews if you decide to leave.
Posted by: steve | March 5th, 2008 at 6:20 pm | Report this commentI’m a bit puzzled why so many of the posts to this and other problems on ‘Dear Lucy’ recommend people to leave their jobs. Is the labour market in the UK really so flexible that anyone who has a problem can easily find another? Perhaps I’ll move to London after all.
Posted by: AW, female, Director, 37 | March 6th, 2008 at 4:23 am | Report this commentI had exactly this problem with an older male boss. Eventually I challenged him - only to be accused of not being a team player. Eventually I quit. I suggest you do the same, swiftly.
Posted by: Banker, female, 29 | March 6th, 2008 at 8:41 am | Report this commentYou were hired to drum up new business, so go and do it. Expect your line manager to attempt sabotage, since you might replace him. Become unavailable for his wild goose chases, and work your own leads.
Invite him to early breakfast meetings to keep him informed, and don’t be available for him to interrupt you in the offce. Enlist a mentor or two, make sure you’re creditedfro every client you win.
Posted by: Headhunter, Male, 51 | March 6th, 2008 at 8:45 am | Report this commentBrag about the work you are doing to your colleagues - then if your boss tries to pass the work off as his own, people won’t be fooled. Of course, this could make you look like you’re showing off or make people think it is in fact your boss who is doing the work and YOU who is taking credit for it.
Posted by: Female, analyst, 32 | March 6th, 2008 at 8:47 am | Report this commentYour problem may be worse than you think. You work for a management consultancy that only has a canteen? All the decent ones have restaurants. Start looking around today.
Posted by: Director, male, 39 | March 6th, 2008 at 8:49 am | Report this commentShop him to his boss. Get some concrete examples and emasculate him. You might get canned but so what? Do them for unfair dismissal
Posted by: Anon, Male | March 6th, 2008 at 8:50 am | Report this commentHeed the words of Sun Tzu: “Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder and crush him.” Create leads that seem valid and feed them to the manager, keeping the true leads close to your chest. Surprise your superiors with great results, and watch your tormentor flounder.
Posted by: Female, anon | March 6th, 2008 at 8:53 am | Report this commentQUESTION I: How many performance reviews have failed to reward you since you assumed your new post?
QUESTION II: How is anyone else able to take credit ’secretly’ if it is but a ‘mid-size’ firm and everyone relevant is present when you make your proposals?
Posted by: HKLivingston, 26, investment banker | March 7th, 2008 at 5:16 am | Report this commentyour predicament is simple Memo and Diaries are the answer, when you generate leads, itemize them send them to your manager, copy his boss and some of your trusted peers seeking their input on this new lead will bring more value for the organization.It is a way of have a copyright on your leads. For more on how to deal with him read 1) the act of war 2)Step it up and 3)stealing time by alec klein they will enthuse you
Posted by: osu akande LONDON | April 10th, 2008 at 9:05 am | Report this comment