At a staff meeting the boss said we are doing something different today, x and y suggested a different approach which I think is an excellent idea.

7 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 11,2025 at 1:00PM UTC

   I take it you are being credited for something that was her idea. If it was her original idea, then it is up to you whether or not you want to come clean. It depends on how impactful the idea is and how much you value your working relationship with this person.

   If it was an idea that grew organically out of a conversation you were having, tossing out ideas about how to make your meetings more productive, then explain to your coworker that you were not trying to take credit for her idea, because you came up with it together. If it helps, you can offer to explain the thought process to your manager.

   How much impact will this idea have on either of your careers? It sounds like you are both on a career path that could lead to more responsibility and leadership, so weigh this particular idea's current and future impact before rocking any boats or falling on your sword.

2. Barb HansenMay 11,2025 at 1:15PM UTC

   In a perfect world—yes.

   But it’s never a perfect world. Correcting a comment from your boss in the middle of a meeting can be awkward or even risky, depending on the dynamics. That said, just because you didn’t speak up in the moment doesn’t mean you can’t do something now.

   Here’s what I would do:

   Start by having a conversation with your boss. Let them know that the idea was actually X’s and that while you may have discussed it together, the credit really belongs to her. Then, ask your boss to clarify this with the team—both via email and in the next staff meeting. You can say something like:

   "Not everyone reads every email, and it’s important to acknowledge great ideas when they happen. I’d appreciate it if you could give X the proper credit in the next meeting as well."

   Assuming your boss is on board, then I’d have a one-on-one conversation with X. Let her know you weren’t responsible for how the idea was presented and that you’ve already spoken with your manager to make sure the credit goes to her.

   I wouldn’t send a team-wide correction on your own. Since it was your manager’s misstatement, it’s best to let them handle the correction. Publicly correcting your boss—however well-intentioned—can be tricky, and in this case, it’s more appropriate to work behind the scenes to set things right.

3. AnonymousMay 11,2025 at 3:11PM UTC

   tell x to grow up. It’s not your fault that the boss gave both of you credit. Would she rather no one got credit. She is not someone I would trust in the future. Her reaction should have been grateful that the boss acknowledged anyone. Be careful of this colleague, she doesn’t care about you.

4. April DMay 11,2025 at 8:27PM UTC

   Did X mention this to the boss? While the idea might have been X's, the fact that you were the one that mentioned it to the boss, allows you to share in the accolades.

   NOW, if you had gone to the boss and said I have this great idea, and you cut X out altogether, then they would have a reason to be angry.

   Personally the fact that you and X were chatting about it and you were the one that brought up to the boss means it is a shared approach.

5. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 12:04AM UTC

   It is horrible to allow credit to be attributed to you and not make it crystal clear thar X is brilliant and owns the idea. You should absolutely say something. Even though it's coming late.

6. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 12:17PM UTC

   Yes, give the credit to where it's due. That could have already come out in that meeting, to be honest. Never under estimate the value of building up someone else.

7. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 1:21PM UTC

   Why didn't you say something?