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I and my co-worker came up with a great idea, my co-worker overstates his contribution when describing it to others. What is the good way to react?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to react?
Wes Bucey
Prophet of Profit
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
The situation you present is a common one and relatively easy to deal with. First, and foremost, you need to confront the colleague directly, saying words to the effect, "Your presentation of the extent of each of our involvements in our collaboration is different from my recollection of events. Are you deliberately trying to minimize my role and make me look ineffective to our colleagues and bosses?"
Depending on your co-worker's response to the confrontation (which could be within a range of possibilities), you can insist he amend his remarks to others to include your contribution or, escalating, (if he affirms his belief of your non-contribution) you can go directly to a superior and complain, stating the facts.
My response supposes, of course, that YOUR recollection of events is accurate.
Welcome to the Cove!
The situation you present is a common one and relatively easy to deal with. First, and foremost, you need to confront the colleague directly, saying words to the effect, "Your presentation of the extent of each of our involvements in our collaboration is different from my recollection of events. Are you deliberately trying to minimize my role and make me look ineffective to our colleagues and bosses?"Depending on your co-worker's response to the confrontation (which could be within a range of possibilities), you can insist he amend his remarks to others to include your contribution or, escalating, (if he affirms his belief of your non-contribution) you can go directly to a superior and complain, stating the facts.
My response supposes, of course, that YOUR recollection of events is accurate.
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
I'd say it all depends.
How well do you know this co-worker?
Is there really any harm to you if he overstates his contribution? Folks like to feel passionate about projects they work on. Is your management aware of who participated and how?
If I knew the person well, I might just say something like - hear you have been touting our project to folks. Very good, we can use the publicity. Please be sure to include XYZ (and list something you specifically did).
I'd see if the co-worker would be amenable to generating a list of "talking points" about the project.
I once discovered a co-worker who made a presentation of materials I authored at a conference. When I discovered it (Google searches are great) I asked him about it, and he said his manager said it was okay to use the materials. I simply requested - next time you do something like that, could you list me as co-author? We co-authored quite a few presentations after that with no problems.
I'd say it all depends.
How well do you know this co-worker?
Is there really any harm to you if he overstates his contribution? Folks like to feel passionate about projects they work on. Is your management aware of who participated and how?
If I knew the person well, I might just say something like - hear you have been touting our project to folks. Very good, we can use the publicity. Please be sure to include XYZ (and list something you specifically did).
I'd see if the co-worker would be amenable to generating a list of "talking points" about the project.
I once discovered a co-worker who made a presentation of materials I authored at a conference. When I discovered it (Google searches are great) I asked him about it, and he said his manager said it was okay to use the materials. I simply requested - next time you do something like that, could you list me as co-author? We co-authored quite a few presentations after that with no problems.
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
If so, they will investigate. why bother
If not, .......................... why bother
Who are the others. Do they matter to take the bright idea further ?
If so, they will investigate. why bother
If not, .......................... why bother
Wes Bucey
Prophet of Profit
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
"Any workman worthy of hire is worthy of pay."
Today, I amend that to add,
"especially if that pay is only in recognition or compliments for volunteers."
It is a hallmark of one of the nonprofits where I volunteer that every effort is made to recognize and appreciate the contributions made by volunteers, both by the paid administrators and by the "client beneficiaries" of the nonprofit.
I would consider it an egregious violation of decorum for anyone to try to supplant the laudable efforts of a colleague by touting his own work and ignoring his colleague's.
More than 60 years ago, my grandfather impressed me with the comment:
"Any workman worthy of hire is worthy of pay."
Today, I amend that to add,
"especially if that pay is only in recognition or compliments for volunteers."
It is a hallmark of one of the nonprofits where I volunteer that every effort is made to recognize and appreciate the contributions made by volunteers, both by the paid administrators and by the "client beneficiaries" of the nonprofit.
I would consider it an egregious violation of decorum for anyone to try to supplant the laudable efforts of a colleague by touting his own work and ignoring his colleague's.
J
JLang
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
Say what ?
Say what ?
Wes Bucey
Prophet of Profit
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
Translation:
It ain't good manners to steal somebody else's glory!
Sorry! The curse of education at high priced schools.Say what ?
Translation:
It ain't good manners to steal somebody else's glory!
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
Wes is sometimes at other levels...
Say what ?
Wes is sometimes at other levels...
J
jasonb067
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
My suggestion is to not react. State the facts around the bright idea and that is it. No reaction required.
My suggestion is to not react. State the facts around the bright idea and that is it. No reaction required.
Re: Bright Idea - My co-worker overstates his contribution - What is a good way to re
These are characters and are present everywhere. People know of such most often and words said by such are always taken with caution and filters. They keep cropping up at all situations. Do nothing, ignore and keep on your track.
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