When you make progress at work, but don’t receive the proper recognition, it can feel like a punch to the gut. Whether you made your company revenue, completed a successful campaign, grew the social media following or came up with a strategic idea, a lack of proper recognition leaves employees feeling deflated. While unintentional, a lack of recognition can cause conflict. It can cause internal conflict for the employee and interpersonal conflict amongst team members.
Companies thrive when employees are celebrated and motivated to succeed. Failure to credit colleagues or employees for ideas or thank people for their efforts doesn’t create a good work environment. It also leaves team members feeling undervalued, discouraged in their efforts, overlooked and unappreciated.
Here’s how to deal if a boss or colleague has not given you proper credit for your work.
Lean in With Curiosity
When you don’t receive proper credit in the workplace, it is natural to feel defensive or discouraged. Don’t allow yourself to stay in that place. Instead of retreating, lean into the offense, whether intentional or unintentional, and ask questions. Remaining curious helps you express your frustration while also requesting clarification and eliminating assumptions.
Decide Whether It’s Worth It or Not
While not receiving credit for your work is never a good feeling, you have to choose your battles. Before you address it, you have to weigh whether or not it’s worth the repercussions or consequences of not receiving credit. If it does not affect your pay or standing with the company, it may not be worth your time and energy to address the problem.
Ask Your Direct Supervisor for Guidance
Another option for dealing with not receiving credit in the workplace is by seeking advice from your direct manager. Ask your boss how they’d recommend you addressing someone else taking credit for your ideas.
If this is a recurrent issue, you might ask for your boss’ help in making sure your name is attached to your work and acknowledged for any future success or progress.
Keep Record of Your Work
In future instances, one way to ensure you do receive proper credit for your work is by keeping a record of it. In more important cases of recognition that can affect promotions or pay raises, you’ll want to be able to show your work and the ways in which you have contributed. Confidently voice your ideas and share your progress.