Your boss asks a coworker whose idea it was to successfully contact a new supplier. They take the credit, when it fact it was you who did the research, got the bids and floated the idea. Instead of applauding your initiative during the weekly staff meeting, the co worker receives the credit.

     So how should you react? It can be tricky. You don’t want to lose the well-deserved recognition but at the same time you don’t want to come off as egotistical nor do you want it to become a shouting match.

     Consider, if this is an important issue and if so, you need to stand up for yourself. It does not have to be in public where the coworker feels humiliated but perhaps pulling your boss aside and saying something like, “I don’t want to make a huge deal of this and I know “Oscar” said that this was his idea, but I thought you should know that I was the one who not only came up with the idea but did the research.” If you have your notes bring them with you.

     You may also want to let Oscar know that you were surprised that he did not at least share the credit and recognition with you. Be polite but be firm. If you speak up, the chances of the incident happening again, is decreased.