Three Comebacks For When Someone Steals Your Ideas at Work

This?Harvard Business Review article says it's a matter of when, not if.?

Especially when you're a woman, a minority, or someone who doesn't embody the male, pale, and stale norm of corporate leadership.?

You'll speak up in a meeting and offer a strategic solution to a shared problem only to be unacknowledged, ignored, or worse yet, shushed.?

Then a colleague -- almost always a man -- will paraphrase your idea and get praised for it.?

This perpetuates unconscious bias in the workplace, or, as my mentor Lisa Gates once called it, a "death by a thousand paper cuts."

Next time something like this happens to you, please for the love of Jove -- do NOT stay silent.?

Staying silent is becoming complicit in robbing you of the credit you're due.?

No more robbing from you.

Try one of these three sample scripts below. Adjust your level of sass to your liking.?

Or watch me demonstrate each script in this 18-second video:

1. "I'm glad you see the value of my ideas. I appreciate your vote of confidence."?

2. "Thanks for spotlighting my point." (This one's from the above-mentioned HBR article by Alicia Bassuk.)?

3. "Yes, as I mentioned earlier, this idea can be a game-changer. Thanks for bringing it up again."?

Even if the colleague absolutely deserves to be thrown under the bus or called out publicly, sometimes the most deft, skillful move is to sidestep open conflict.??

With a positive reframe and verbal redirect, you can:?

• Give yourself the clear and public acknowledgement that the idea is yours
• Create an opportunity to follow up with more details or clarifications for greater impact ("Here are the three aspects of this idea that should be addressed in further detail, and I have the presentation to walk the leadership team through them...")?
• Leverage the power of "yes, and" while making it hard for others to dismiss or ignore your role without attacking anyone?

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE?

"Still...I don't want to seem confrontational or negative," is what my clients often tell me, when I ask them why they have yet to challenge the colleague who's positioning for a promotion using their ideas.?

At a gut level, I understand.?

As a recovering people-pleaser, I know the urge to avoid "rocking the boat," to stay small, and to dodge conflict -- even if it's packaged in positive-neutral language.?

The urge that leads to BIGGER regrets... more net negative results like getting passed over for the promotion and raise you deserve but don't get, because you avoided the awkwardness of giving yourself the credit you're due.?

Here's the thing to know in your brain and heart:? Not speaking up for you is a vote for more injustice.

A vote for taking from the bank of your hard-earned value-creation and giving it to the wrong people.?

No more robbing from you.?

More giving back to you.?

In your corner,?

Jamie?

WORK WITH ME 1:1?

Book your free 1:1 consultation with me today, because you're ready to unwind harmful socialization that holds you back from speaking up with confidence.?

You're ready to take the helm of the ship that is your career.

You're gonna rock that boat, because it's YOURS to drive.?

Book your free 1:1 consult with me today: https://calendly.com/jamielee/negotiate