Your boss always takes credit for your work. What can you do to get the recognition you deserve?

1 Speak up

Don't be afraid to speak up and share your achievements with your boss and others. Sometimes, your boss may not be aware of your work or may forget to mention you. By speaking up, you can remind your boss of your value and showcase your skills and expertise. You can also use opportunities like performance reviews, team meetings, or project updates to highlight your work and accomplishments. Be specific, confident, and factual when you speak up, and avoid sounding arrogant or defensive.

2 Document your work

Another way to get the recognition you deserve is to document your work and keep track of your progress and outcomes. This can help you create a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates your impact and contribution to the organization. You can use this portfolio to communicate your work to your boss and others, as well as to support your requests for feedback, recognition, or promotion. You can also use tools like email, reports, or presentations to document your work and share it with relevant stakeholders.

3 Seek feedback

Sometimes, your boss may not give you recognition because they don't have a clear idea of your expectations or goals. To address this, you can seek feedback from your boss and others on a regular basis. Feedback can help you understand how your work is perceived and valued, as well as identify areas of improvement or development. You can also use feedback to clarify your role, responsibilities, and expectations with your boss and align them with your career aspirations. By seeking feedback, you can show your boss that you are proactive, engaged, and committed to your work and growth.

4 Build relationships

Another strategy to get the recognition you deserve is to build relationships with your boss and others in your organization. Relationships can help you increase your visibility, credibility, and influence in your workplace. You can also leverage relationships to gain support, advocacy, and endorsement for your work and achievements. To build relationships, you need to network, collaborate, and communicate effectively with your boss and others. You also need to be respectful, trustworthy, and supportive of your boss and others, and avoid any conflicts or confrontations.

5 Explore other options

If none of the above strategies work and your boss continues to take credit for your work, you may need to explore other options. Depending on the severity and frequency of the situation, you may want to escalate the issue to a higher authority, such as a human resources manager or a senior leader. You may also want to look for other opportunities within or outside your organization, where you can work with a different boss or a more supportive team. However, before you take any of these steps, make sure you have exhausted all other avenues and have a clear plan and backup.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?