taking credit
I’m an idea person. I’m a shy person, but I’m an idea person. I only started realizing this over the last little while and the only reason I have become aware of it is because I am finding more and more that other people love to take credit for my ideas. Being an idea person and a shy person are two very uncomplimentary traits. You have a massive flash of genius and get all excited and share it quietly with a few people and poof within days (or sometimes minutes) those people are spouting your little bit of magic with the masses. Although this post might seem to display the contrary, I need little to no affirmation in most areas of my life. I don’t need to be center stage, the topic of conversation or of very much interest to anyone for that matter. I just believe (because I live quietly in my head) that when people have great ideas that someone else taking them as their own without crediting the originator is just foul… For lack of better words.
Tesla VS Edison
That being said this is not a new thing. For example, everyone on the planet probably knows who Thomas Edison is right? Yes, yes, the man who saved us from the darkness and brought us light and electricity and all of the things that make our lives easy and beautiful…. Well not to fast my friends. Nikola Tesla, a well known inventor around the same time as Edison who has been credited for creating such things as the radio and the direct current power system (which we still use today) fluorescent light is not so well known. During the time Tesla worked for Edison it is believed that Edison stole many of Tesla’s ideas for his own which only increased his power and influence. Edison died famous and rich Tesla died poor and alone with only pigeons as friends. *shudder* Although there are arguments and defense of each side, the real point I’m trying to make is that Edison was good at taking credit (even credit he might have not deserved) and he lived a far better life as a result. I’m not advocating the theft of others intellectual capital just merely suggesting that recognition for your own should be paramount.
In one of my favorite books of the year ‘Ambition’ (which I am constantly referring to) Debra Condren discusses ‘taking credit’ in her number 1 rule entitled ‘Be A Contender’.
As I re-read this chapter I realized 1. I’m not alone, many women suffer from this ‘put my head down and work’ disease and 2. I’ve gotta get over it if I want to go anywhere! Â If I don’t want people to take credit for my ideas, then I need to stop letting them. Â I’m having hot flashes just thinking about the confrontations that will ensue. Â lol! Â I just have to keep reminding myself about how awful it feels to congratulate someone else on my brilliant idea.
Do any of you have any tips on taking credit or do you suffer from my ‘hide under a rock disease’?
Thanks for reading!
xoxo,
coco
“Idea’ pic courtesy of www.adverblog.com
October 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I suffer from your hide under a rock disease somewhat. At a previous agency I came up with a great media idea in a group brainstorm. So I have others who heard me spout the idea.
After leaving the agency the idea was snatched up by the client and the CEO took full credit.
I have announced on facebook that this happened to me but I can’t get the nerves to ask the CEO for the credit I deserve.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Yes, have recently been reminded of Tesla’s contributions and more importantly attempted contributions to the modern conveniences we all take for granted. Not only is Tesla resposible for us using AC household current, in spite of Edison pushing his DC, Westinghouse took credit for it because he was in the position to make it happen. Telsa also discoverd how to harness the earth’s energy that we should all be abe to use for free, but of course we couldn’t have that!! Tesla was the most brilliant inventor f the 19th and 20th centuries and most have never even heard of him.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
And yes. It’s sad that we must all stand up for ourselves and protect our creations to prevent others from taking advantage. If one tries to defend oneself after such an occurrence then it can sound like sour grapes. Fortunatly with today’s information technology it’s easier to set the record straight. Thanks for the great thought and inspiration for those who create,to get credit.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
sharing is caring, but taking credit for work you didn’t do? not so much! another amazing post @cocolowecoco! http://bit.ly/FinCr
October 7th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I have similar issues, Coco. *sigh* Why is it so hard for some of us to step forward? Even now I’m struggling with drawing attention to things I’ve accomplished when drawing attention would be a good thing. I see other people highlight their achievements fearlessly, proudly, and think, “that’s so great!”
I’ve also been known to be very shy around people I perceive as wonderfully successful, or particularly stylish. Strange but true.
Sometimes I find success if I approach as though I were a separate person. What would I tell a friend with the same issue? Only that friend is me.
Hmmm. Maybe that’s it — we have to treat ourselves as we would treat our friends. With encouragement and support.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
taking credit *sigh* http://bit.ly/egdG3
October 7th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
RT @cocolowecoco: taking credit *sigh* http://bit.ly/egdG3
October 8th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Thank you for this post! Sounds like me in a breadbasket, so it’s nice to hear I’m not the only one, even though it often times feels like it!
But I’m quickly learning (and applying) to ALWAYS ‘Do The Right Thing’, for myself, because this quiet, go-with-the-flow, others-will-do-the-right-thing approach is getting me nowhere.
Looking forward to picking up ‘Ambition’, so thanks for the heads up on what sounds like a very inspirational book!
October 8th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Words of wisdom:
“Ignore everybody.
You are responsible for your own experience.
Power is never given.
Power is taken.
If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.”
Keep doing you and autograph your work with excellence – it shows